There is an awe-inspiring variety of types of centipedes that can be found in the state of Florida . From the ubiquitous House centipede to the brilliant easterly crimson centipede , these Florida centipede species each provide a distinct part to the regional ecology .
The quick , humid environment of the state is home to a variety of centipedes , include the tight - moving , slender House Centipede and the soil - dwelling Soil Centipedes , which are essential to the health of the soil .
Comprehending these species not only illuminates their bionomical use but also help in the preservation and appreciation of Florida ’s biodiversity .
Different Types of Centipede in Florida
Georgia Flat-backed Millipede
The ignominious Georgia Flat - backed Millipede ( Cherokia georgiana ) has three sensationalistic dots on each segment of its trunk , and its legs are yellow . Its antennae are roughly twice as long as its wooden leg . The majority of specimen in the genus are jaundiced , although some may seem crimson or orange , demonstrating color diversity .
These millipedes dissent in sizing inFloridaas well ; small ones are found at higher elevations , while larger ones are found nearer the water . Because of the dispute in size of it and color , it may be unmanageable to identify the species . A social spiritualist Citizen Science initiative was start to learn more about the millipede ’s distribution , and the result indicate that it had a far larger home ground than previously believed .
Greenhouse Millipede
Originating in Japan , the Greenhouse Millipede ( Oxidus gracilis ) is acommon good deal in Florida . During trading trip , it traveled to the Americas and Eurasia . These millipedes reach a maximum distance of 23 mm ( 1 in ) . Unlike many of their siblings , they have a lumpy look rather than a smooth , vasiform body and are generallyblack or dark-brown on top with whitelegs .
It ’s interesting to observe that greenhouse millipede may spend an remarkably long menstruation of prison term underwater because they can maintain an air house of cards around their spiracle . They have no sight , unlike other beast , and must use their antennae to navigate and site solid food . They smell out bad when threatened and are toxic to predators , but they do n’t hurt masses unless they eat them .
Eastern Red Centipede
It is easy to realise the Eastern Crimson Centipede ( Scolopocryptops sexspinosus ) thanks to its bright tinge leg and consistently red upper surfaces . This centipede , which can reach a distance of 6.5 centimeter ( 2.5 in ) , is renowned for have a frightful chomp that is on equality with some of its larger relatives .
The Eastern Red Centipede , which is found in Florida , can be rather aggressive in contrast to many other centipede . It feeds on insects , fishing worm , spiders , and lesser centipede . It is a proficient Orion due to its velocity and agility .
Its aboriginal habitat consists of burrowing in loose dirt , chunky bark , or moist forest litter , as well as underneath a variety of damp things , including Sir Henry Joseph Wood , pit , bark , or flowerpots . Since it loves the wetness of its native home ground , it is rarely encountered indoors .
Long-Flange Millipede
The West Indies , the remote Galápagos Islands , and subtropical regions of Florida are all rough-cut habitat for the Long - Flange Millipede ( Asiomorpha coarctata ) . These millipedes are aboriginal to Southeast Asia , but due to craft in goods and services , they have spread throughout the universe . Despite being widely shell out , they have little core on the environments in which they are place ; rather , they are of the essence for the recycling of minerals back into the environment .
These millipedes have a bragging yellow rim on each physical structure section and range in distance from 1.4 to 2.8 centimeter ( 0.55 to 1.1 in ) . They are obscure brown to black in color . They have reddish - dark-brown legs .
Rusty Millipede
The big and frequently bewildered wiggler Rusty Millipede ( Trigoniulus corallinus ) is easily identified by its pinkish - brown to brick - red hue . Its segmental eubstance feed it a wormy appearance , and the sparse dim stripes down its face do not look unlike shadows . But as presently as you see its legs move , you’re able to see that this is a millipede , not just any old louse .
In 2015 , the genome of this species became the first millipede to be sequence , provide authoritative unexampled information about the evolutionary relationships amongst arthropods such as millipedes , pubic louse , and lobsters . As long as there is an abundance of intellectual nourishment and resource , Rusty Millipedes are recognized for their sociable demeanor and rarely fight with one another .
Yellow-Legged Millipede
The Yellow - Legged milliped ( Pleuroloma flavipes ) , sometimes bring up to as the Flat - indorse Millipede or the North American Millipede , is distinguished by its medium reddish - brown body with yellowed stripe extending from border to edge and bright jaundiced leg . They are notable for go in big groups and resembling a cherry red - colorise mat that is undulating across the landscape . They are sometimes consult to as Wandering Cherry Millipedes .
These millepede , which are coarse in easternFlorida , live in a variety of home ground , such as beneath log , fallen branches , and trees , but they quell away from coniferous Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree . They shine remarkably intensely when exposed to UV light . The Yellow - Legged millepede , in contrast to many other milliped , is ofttimes found in fields and open spaces , where it play an important function in reprocess environmental junk and maintaining the food chain .
Brown Centipede
The Brown Centipede ( Lithobius forficatus ) is a blue reddish - dark-brown , chestnut - like insect that ranges in length from 18 to 30 millimeter ( 0.7 to 1.1 in ) . It can be difficult to square up which conclusion is in front when it has long antennas and a after part that match . But the bigger head , with its enormous fang , gives it forth . These teeth put in highly lethal venom into insects .
This coinage can have up to 15 pairs of legs when to the full grown , and its main food sources include slugs , worm , spiders , and fly sheet . In Florida , dark-brown centipede search at night and oft hide during the day . They are set up ontree bark , in compost piles , and in gardens , where they give on worm . Often referred to as the “ Gardener ’s Friend , ” they keep cuss out of your garden by consuming animal that are unsound for plants .
Eastern Bark Centipede
The olive - coloured plates of the Eastern Bark Centipede ( Hemiscolopendra marginata ) are severalise by a thin black bar that runs the length of its body and a dark interference fringe . Its maximal distance is 75 millimetre ( 3 in ) . Its head is chocolate-brown - ruby , while its legs and antennae are delicate , semitransparent white-livered . The metal money ’ hue can also disagree , ranging from ignitor to dark blue or gray - brown , with the armor plate encircled by black-market , green , or depressed interference fringe .
The Eastern Bark Centipede is distinct from other Florida centipede in that its spitefulness is sexually dimorphous , meaning that the toxin produced by the males and female are different . While the spite of distaff centipedes is have intercourse to disrupt mobile phone membranes , that of Male is sleep together to impact physical structure operation . To avoid digest from a unspeakable bite , it is advisable to stay on aside from this centipede , disregarding of sexuality .
House Centipede
The most prevalent centipede in Florida homes is the House Centipede ( Scutigera coleoptrata ) . Their colour is yellow - grey , and they have three stripes down their backs that , give their remarkable speed , may resemble racing stripe .
Their capacity to quest after quarry is meliorate by the tapering of their thick-skulled , secure legs toward the ends . To find their next food , they also have fabulously long antennae . The two “ decoy ” antennae at the rearward ending are surprisingly functional and function identically to the ones at the front .
Although they may have an unpleasant appearance , sign of the zodiac centipede can be useful visitors . They consumegrasshoppersas well as Musca domestica , spiders , and other insect . They live outside in coolheaded , moist places like woodpiles , rocky mend , and leaf litter . They prefer dampish surroundings and are frequently discover in basements , garage , or compost mess .
Soil Centipedes
In Florida , the various specie of centipedes known as soil centipedes ( Geophilomorpha ) have leg pairs ranging from 27 to 191 ( 54 to 382 individual legs ) . to facilitate movement through turd , they have a slim , passably flatten body and range in coloring from white to red - brown . Without eyes , they move underground by pushing their front end forward and pulling their back end , just like earthworms do .
Their size rate from 0.75 in ( 1.9 curium ) to 7.48 in ( 19 atomic number 96 ) . Because they break down garbage , unloose food , and aerate the land , soil centipedes are essential to the health of the stain and the growth of flora . They may look unsettling , yet they are significant for preserving the quality of the soil .
Black and Gold Flat Millipede
The typical black body segment fringed with intense scandalmongering or , under certain situation , orange - red , make the Black and Gold Flat milliped ( Apheloria virginiensis ) easy to key . Its lengthy antennae are around twice as long as its leg , and it has a wan yellow underside . These 5 cm retentive millipede usually spiral up when they sense panicked .
They feed on crumble matter and are frequently see in regions with constitutive litter or mulch heap . They let go a nitrile - based poison that can irritate skin or oculus , but it is safe for humans . To annul irritation , it ’s best to wash your hands right away if you are touched .
Bumblebee Millipede
A common sight in Florida , the Bumblebee Millipede ( Adenobolus monilicornis ) is prized for its distinctive look and is frequently maintained as a pet by enthusiast . Its unusual consistency portions with stripes of non-white browned and yellow , which resemble an nightwalker disguised as a bee , are what give it its name . This millipede feeds on decaying plant topic and is usually set up in leaf bedding material .
The Bumblebee Millipede is not aboriginal to Florida ; rather , it was brought here by shipments of ornamental plant life from the Caribbean . It is not a threat to natural plants or animals , despite its vast population .
Florida Ivory Millipede
With an grownup size of up to 10 cm ( 4 in ) , the Florida Ivory Millipede ( Chicobolus spinigerus ) is regarded as a “ titan ” among milliped in the state of Florida . Their distinctive black - and - white design help oneself to describe them , though some can be brainy purple in color instead of black .
These millipedes unremarkably have a lifespan of five to 10 yr . They spend the most of their clip underground , searching for bacteria , which is their main food source . In the wild , they get their bacteria from decaying folio litter , wood , and animal thriftlessness .
