''Scutigera linceci'', the Arizona house centipede
(originally described as ''Cermatia linceci'') is a species of the
Scutigeromorph
The centipedes or Chilopoda are divided into the following orders.
Scutigeromorpha
The Scutigeromorpha are anamorphic, reaching 15 leg-bearing segments in length. Also known as house centipedes, they are very fast creatures, and able to withstan ...
centipede found in the Southern United States and Central America. Its species name refers to Dr Lincecum, a field naturalist.
In the wild, they live under stones and in hollow logs, but the species frequently enters human habitation.
Appearance
''Scutigera linceci'' is much smaller than the common house centipede, ''
Scutigera coleoptrata
''Scutigera coleoptrata'', also known as the house centipede, is a species of centipede that is typically yellowish-grey and has up to 15 pairs of long legs. Originating in the Mediterranean region, it has spread to other parts of the world, whe ...
'',
[Referred to as ''Scutigera forceps'' by both Wood (1867) and Pocock (1910). ''Scutigera forceps'' has since been synonymized with ''S. coleoptrata'', and Pocock in fact noted that ''S. forceps'' "...is very closely allied to, if not identical with, the common S.-European ''S. coleoptrata''...]
/ref> growing to only , and can further by differentiated from the latter species by the shape of the head and tergites, and its colouration.
Notes
References
{{Taxonbar, from=Q6507720
Animals described in 1867
Arthropods of North America
Scutigeromorpha