Family SCUTIGERIDAE

Thereuopoda longicornis, nr Queanbeyan, NSW

© Copyright Dr R. Farrow

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Regional Maps

• Giribet, G. & Edgecombe, G.D. 2013. Stable phylogenetic patterns in scutigeromorph centipedes (Myriapoda : Chilopoda : Scutigeromorpha): dating the diversification of an ancient lineage of terrestrial arthropods. Invertebrate Systematics 27: 485–501

Introduction

Worldwide the family is divided between two subfamilies: the Scutigerinae which are found in the tropics, and the Scutigerininae, with two genera (Scutigerina Silvestri, 1903 and Madagassophora Verhoeff, 1936), found in Madagascar, Swaziland and South Africa (Hoffmann 1982: 681; Lawrence 1960: 103). The family has a predominantly tropical distribution, although they are also found in subtropical regions (Lewis 1981: 428). Eight genera and 20 species are recorded for Australia.

Scutigera coloeptrata, the house centipede, is widespread in the Northern Hemisphere and is believed to be introduced in Australia. The species is thought to be native to the Mediterranean region. It is commonly found in damp areas around houses, such as cellars and bathrooms (Lewis 1981: 401; Hoffmann 1982: 681).

See introduction to the order for diagnostic features of the Scutigeridae.

General References

Hoffmann, R.L. 1982. Chilopoda. pp. 681-688 in Parker, S. (ed.). Synopsis and Classification of Living Organisms. New York : McGraw-Hill Vol. 2.

Lawrence, R.F. 1960. Myriapodes Chilopodes. Tananarive : Institute de Recherche Scientifique Vol. 12 123 pp.

Lewis, J.G.E. 1981. The Biology of Centipedes. Cambridge : Cambridge University Press vii 476 pp.

History of changes