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Contribution from the Bureau of Entomology, L. O. Howard, Chief. 
December 15, 1914. 
THE HOUSE CENTIPEDE.* 
By C. L. Maruarr, 
Entomologist and Assistant Chief of Bureau. 
GENERAL APPEARANCE AND HABITS. 
The house centipede (fig. 1), particularly within the last 20 or 25 
years, has become altogether too common an object in dwelling 
houses in the Middle and Northern States for the peace of mind of 
the inmates. It is a very fragile creature capable of very rapid 
movements, and elevated considerably above the surface upon which 
it runs by very numerous long legs. It may often be seen darting 
across floors with very great speed, occasionally stopping suddenly 
and remaining absolutely motionless, presently to resume its rapid 
movements, often darting directly at inmates of the house, particu- 
larly women, evidently with a desire to conceal itself beneath their 
dresses, and thus creating much consternation. The creature is not 
a true insect, but belongs to the Myriapoda, commonly known as 
centipedes or ‘‘thousand legs,” and is sometimes called the ‘‘skein’’ 
centipede, from the fact that when crushed or motionless it looks, 
from its numerous long legs, like a mass of filaments or threads. Itis 
a creature of the damp, and is particularly abundant in bathrooms, 
moist closets, and cellars, multiplying excessively also in conservato- 
ries, especially about places where pots are stored, and near heating 
pipes. In houses it will often be dislodged from behind furniture or 
be seen to run rapidly across the room, either in search of food or 
concealment. If examined closely its very cleanly habits may occa- 
sionally be manifested in that it may be observed to pass its long 
legs, one after another, through its mandibles, to remove any adher- 
ing dust. Its rather weird appearance, its peculiar manner of loco- 
motion, and frequently its altogether too friendly way of approach- 
ing people, give it great interest, and with its increasing abundance 
in the North, make it a subject of frequent inquiry. 
Notre.—This bulletin is of interest to housewives throughout the United States. It is a reprint of 
Bureau of Entomology Circular 48. 
1 Scutigera forceps Raf. 
63923°—Bull. 627—14 ithe bai od 
