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Submitted: October 30, 2011
Image Size: 565 KB
Resolution: 960×1440

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House centipedesby *melvynyeo

Photography / Macro / Nature

House centipedes feed on spiders, bedbugs, termites, cockroaches, silverfish, ants, and other household arthropods. They administer venom through modified legs. These are not part of their mandibles, so strictly speaking they sting rather than bite. They are mostly nocturnal hunters. Despite their developed eyes they seem to rely mostly on their antennae when hunting. Their antennae are sensitive to both smells and tactile information. They use both their mandibles and their legs for holding prey. This way they can deal with several small insects at the same time. To capture prey they either jump onto it or use their legs in a technique described as "lassoing". Using their legs to beat prey has also been described. In a feeding study, S. coleoptrata showed the ability to distinguish between possible prey. They avoid dangerous insects. They also adapted their feeding pattern to the hazard the prey might pose to them. For wasps, they retreat after applying the venom to give it time to take effect. When the centipede is in danger of becoming prey itself, it can detach any legs that have become trapped.

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~BrittaM Feb 23, 2012

One of my favourite crawly-critters! Shared my house with them growing up, they certainly take care of pest problems (got rid of our cockroach infestation to be sure!), though every once in awhile we'd have to rescue one out of the bathtub.

*pipedreamdragon Feb 20, 2012 Student General Artist

NOPE

~xxXfishbonesXxx Nov 19, 2011

Ah, I love the way the scuttle about on their spindly legs ^^

*melvynyeo Nov 21, 2011

Thanks!

~xxXfishbonesXxx Dec 13, 2011

They're quite fast. They get kind of slow in the winter though and that's how I used to catch them

~Samanth406 Oct 30, 2011 Hobbyist Traditional Artist

OMG!!!

*melvynyeo Nov 2, 2011

OMG indeed!

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