Our normal bedtime ritual was interrupted by this house centipede (Scutigera coleoptrata). It scurried across the bathroom floor as we were getting ready to brush teeth. We stopped, caught the critter and pulled out our National Wildlife Federation Field Guide to Insects and Spiders of North America
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.The house centipede is found throughout North America and is a friend that feeds on household pests. We released the centipede outside in hopes it might get to work feasting on ants.
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I had no idea these were good guys. I'll have to remember that.
ReplyDelete"Jessica said...
ReplyDeleteI had no idea these were good guys. I'll have to remember that."
Only good outside of the house. No fun to live with them.
you are a lot nicer than i am. these bugs are the ones that give me the willies. they move so fast, have so many legs, and get so big! i am usually pretty nice to bugs. these i squish.
ReplyDeletethough now i feel a bit bad about it.
Yes, we had one of these lovelies surprise us in a tent once. I suppressed the urge to smash but cannot deny I had quite a case of the willies as I attempted to relocate him. I try to love most insects, but agree that this is one that inspires more revulsion than fascination. Or maybe equal amounts of both.
ReplyDeleteHuh. I've always thought these were poisonous. But I've always let them live in the house. Glad to know they're harmless and useful!
ReplyDelete