house centipede

arthropod

Also known as: Scutigerida, Scutigeromorpha

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Last updated

June 17, 2026

Quick Summary

The house centipede (Scutigera coleoptrata) is a widespread, long-legged arthropod commonly found in damp, sheltered areas, particularly in buildings. It is known for its beneficial role in destroying household pests like flies and roaches.1

Centipedes, in general, are long, flattened, many-segmented arthropods where each segment, except the last, has a pair of legs. They are predators that hunt other small invertebrates, moving quickly on numerous legs and possessing venomous claws behind their heads. The house centipede, specifically, has a short, striped body and 15 pairs of long legs, making it one of the fastest-moving centipedes.2

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centipede
The 25-mm (1-inch)-long house centipede (order Scutigerida, or Scutigeromorpha) of Europe and North America is the only one common in dwellings. It has a short, striped body and 15 pairs of very long legs. Other centipedes have shorter, hooklike legs. In some species the last pair is pincerlike.
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The 25-mm (1-inch)-long house centipede (order Scutigerida, or Scutigeromorpha) of Europe and North America is the only one common in dwellings. It has a short, striped body and 15 pairs of very long legs. Other centipedes have shorter, hooklike legs. In some species the last pair is pincerlike.
Read More