The house centipede, Scutigera coleoptrata, is a common arthropod frequently encountered in human dwellings across the globe. Characterized by an abundance of long appendages and rapid movement, this unique creature is a long-lived inhabitant of the home environment. Understanding its life history provides context for its longevity and its role in the indoor ecosystem.
Identifying the House Centipede
The physical structure of the house centipede is instantly recognizable. The main body length of an adult is between one and one-and-a-half inches, but the overall length, including its lengthy legs and antennae, can make the creature appear three to four inches long. Its body is a yellowish-brown or grayish color, marked by three distinct dark stripes that run longitudinally from head to tail.
Adult house centipedes possess a characteristic fifteen pairs of legs, with one pair attached to each body segment. These legs are often banded with alternating light and dark colors. They belong to the class Chilopoda, distinguishing them as true centipedes that are active, venomous predators. The final pair of legs, especially on females, is notably long, sometimes reaching nearly twice the length of the body itself.
The Complete Life Cycle and Lifespan
The house centipede exhibits an unusually long lifespan for a terrestrial arthropod, frequently living between three and seven years. This extended longevity is achieved through a slow, regulated developmental process involving multiple molts. The life cycle begins when a female deposits eggs, often in batches, into damp, concealed locations.
Newly hatched centipedes emerge as larvae that look like miniature adults but possess only four pairs of legs. They undergo a series of successive molts, known as instars, gradually increasing their leg count with each shed of their exoskeleton. During the larval stages, they progress through instars until they possess thirteen pairs of legs. It takes approximately three years for the house centipede to reach sexual maturity and full adult size.
Habitat, Diet, and Ecological Role
The house centipede thrives in environments that provide consistent moisture and darkness, as its exoskeleton lacks a waxy layer and it can easily desiccate in dry air. This preference draws them to areas like basements, crawl spaces, laundry rooms, and bathrooms, where humidity levels are naturally higher. They are primarily nocturnal, hunting and moving around under the cover of night.
As a dedicated predator, the house centipede plays a significant ecological role by actively hunting other small arthropods. Its diet includes common household pests, such as silverfish, carpet beetle larvae, cockroaches, and spiders. The centipede uses a pair of modified front legs called forcipules to inject venom into its prey, quickly immobilizing it before consumption. By consuming these invertebrates, the centipede serves as a form of natural pest control, and their presence often indicates an abundant food source nearby.