Field Guide to Venomous and Medically Important Invertebrates ...

ocks, rotten logs, and loose tree bark where they prey on smaller organisms. The vast majority
of the 3,000 known species of centipedes are completely harmless, but some species can inflict
painful ―bites‖ with a pair of fang-like toxicognaths that are modified for piercing and equipped
with venom glands. The mandibles of centipedes are small and incapable of biting. The last pair
of legs is also capable of inflicting a mild pinch but they do not have venom glands. Other
species will secrete an offensive substance, but this is not harmful to people. The widely
distributed scolopendrids (Scolpopendra spp.) are the largest and most venomous centipedes, and
there are roughly 80 species in this genus distributed worldwide, particularly in subtropical and
tropical habitats. The ―bites‖ of these large centipedes can cause severe pain that may last for
several hours in addition to localized swelling of tissue, redness, swollen painful lymph nodes,
headache, heart palpitations, nausea and/or vomiting, and anxiety. Necrosis is uncommon and
infection almost unknown. Symptoms and signs seldom persist > 48 hours. Deaths from
centipede bites have been recorded, but such events are exceedingly rare. Numerous species of
centipedes in the genus Otostigmus can exude chemical substances from glands found along the
body segments that are used for defensive purposes. These secretions usually are not toxic to
humans, but they may cause vesicles to form on skin upon contact. Species of Otostigmus are
distributed worldwide in tropical and subtropical habitats.
Figure 221. Giant centipede (Scolopendra sp.). Photo: Jeff Barnes
Figure 222. Head of Scolopendra sp. showing fang-like toxicognaths. Photo: Dr. Harold J.
Harlan.
Centipede bites should be treated by thoroughly cleaning the immediate area of the bite followed
by topical application or injection of a local anesthetic (if necessary) and use of systemic
antihistamines. Ice packs can be used to control pain in most cases.