Scutigera coleoptrata Linneaus, 1758   ('house centipede')

(Order Scutigeromorpha, family Scutigeridae)

Although there are a number of native scutigeromorphs on the Australian mainland, the only species so far known in Tasmania is this introduced one. The earliest Tasmanian specimen I've seen dates from 1947. Scutigera coleoptrata is believed to have originated in the Mediterranean area and is now nearly cosmopolitan. In cooler climates (and in Tasmania) it seems to be restricted to buildings and is a very close associate of humans. It is easily kept in captivity and makes an interesting pet (see Mesibov 1986: 58).

Many specimens are light brown with three blue longitudinal bands on the tergites. The antennae, leg spines and tarsi are sometimes orange. The long, thin legs, the rounded (not flattened) head and the large compound eyes are characteristic for Scutigeromorpha. Note the spines at the distal end of leg segments: two dorsal, one ventral on prefemur; three dorsal on femur; one dorsal, two ventral on tibia (as shown below). Adult body length is 20-25 mm.

Localities for Scutigera coleoptrata (only? Hobart and Launceston areas).  Scale bar = 100 km.
For an interactive map with more up-to-date localities, go to the mapper page.

More information:
 
Biology - Lewis (1981) and references therein

Colour image courtesy Department of Entomology, University of Nebraska - Lincoln (USA).