Bark Centipedes

Order Scolopendromorpha

The Bark Centipedes (Order Scolopendromorpha) includes 18 species across 6 families and 6 genera in our directory.

About Bark Centipedes

Scolopendromorpha includes ~700 described species of tropical centipedes. The giant Amazonian centipede (Scolopendra gigantea) can reach 30cm (12 inches) and is known to catch and eat bats from cave ceilings.

Economic Impact

Centipede venom is being actively researched for pain-relieving compounds. A peptide from the Chinese red-headed centipede (Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans) has shown effectiveness as a painkiller comparable to morphine in laboratory studies.

Ecological Role

Centipedes are important nocturnal predators in tropical and temperate forests, feeding on insects, spiders, and even small vertebrates. All centipedes are venomous - they inject venom through modified front legs called forcipules.

Families in Scolopendromorpha (6)

Species in Scolopendromorpha (18)

Arthrorhabdus pygmaeus

Scolopendridae

Identification: First intersegmental joint is abut to the first tergite

Theatops posticus

Plutoniumidae

Identification: Cryptopidae: ocelli absent; 21 pairs of legs & pedal segments. Theatops : caudal legs enlarged, heavily sclerotized, forcipulate; ultimate segment longer than any of the others.