Chilopoda Collection

Scolopendra gigantea, giant centipede
A giant centipede which was brought into the Museums Insect Identification service after being found in a living room in London. The specimen is venomous and not native to the UK

Stuart Hine with Scolopendra gigantea, giant centipede
Natural History Museum Entomologist, Stuart Hine with a giant centipede which was brought into the Museums Insect Identification service after being found in a living room in London

Page 452. The Centipedes;the Bronze d Winged Dragon Fly, 1810-17 (w / c & manuscript text)
5670238 Page 452. The Centipedes; the Bronze d Winged Dragon Fly, 1810-17 (w/c & manuscript text) by Digby, Kenelm Henry (1800-80); 39.6x25.2x5.4 cm; Mitchell Library

A Giant Centipede is carefully held up by its keeper, London Zoo, 1923 (b / w photo)
2662464 A Giant Centipede is carefully held up by its keeper, London Zoo, 1923 (b/w photo) by Bond, Frederick William (1887-1942)

Garden Centipede, Lithobius forficatus, above view

Common European Centipede (Lithobius forficatus), close up

Overhead view of model of upper torso of Giant Tiger Centipede, pair of legs attached to each segment, venom claws behind antennae, cross-section showing venom glands with duct, nerve and muscle

Centipede (Chilopoda) with its back end curled up, view from above

Centipede, SEM
Garden centipede. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the head and upper body of a garden centipede (Lithobius sp.)

Garden centipede, SEM
Garden centipede. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a garden centipede (Lithobius sp.). A centipedes body is divided into segments, each containing a pair of legs

Insect in amber
An Eocene centipede trapped in Baltic amber about 35-40 million years old. Amber is a natural, translucent fossil resin

Fossilised millipede (Class Diplopoda)
This fossil is preserved in a siltstone nodule of Carboniferous age from the Yorkshire Coalfield. Length 63mm (unstraightened), length of nodule 76mm

Various specimens
Specimen jars containing various sea and land creatures

Centipede in Baltic amber
Centipede, Chilopoda in Baltic amber. The centipede has been half polished away and is filled with pyrite crystals

Lithobius sp. centipede
Centipedes are reddish-brown, flattened, elongated arthropods. The first pair of legs on a centipede are modified into poisonous fangs which are located below the mouth

Centipede (Hydroschendyla submarina) adult, under boulder, Kimmeridge, Isle of Purbeck, Dorset, England, October

Giant centipede (Scolopendra sp.). Native to South America, this is one of the largest of the centipedes, reaching over 20 centimetres in length

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Chilopoda, also known as centipedes, are fascinating creatures that have captured the attention of scientists and nature enthusiasts alike. One notable species is the Scolopendra gigantea, commonly referred to as the giant centipede. Stuart Hine's encounter with this remarkable creature left him in awe, as he carefully held up a specimen for observation. Centipedes have been depicted throughout history, even appearing in an 1810-17 watercolor and manuscript text titled "The Centipedes;the Bronze Winged Dragon Fly. " These ancient depictions highlight the enduring fascination with these multi-legged arthropods. In a captivating black and white photograph from 1923 at London Zoo, we see a keeper delicately holding up a Giant Centipede. The image showcases both the size and intricacy of this incredible creature. One common species is the Common European Centipede (Lithobius forficatus), which can be observed up close. Its segmented body and numerous legs make it an intriguing subject for study. Models of upper torsos of Giant Tiger Centipedes provide us with detailed insights into their anatomy. With pairs of legs attached to each segment, venom claws behind antennae, and cross-sections revealing venom glands with ducts, nerves, and muscles – these models offer a glimpse into their complex physiology. The appearance of Giant Tiger Centipedes is equally striking. Their orange and black segmented bodies are adorned with antennae, four simple eyes, poison fangs, and clawed legs at the end of their abdomen – all adaptations designed for capturing prey while injecting potent venom. Observing Chilopoda from above reveals unique perspectives on their behavior. Whether it's witnessing one curl its back end or admiring an overhead view of a Garden Centipede (Lithobius forficatus), there is always something new to discover about these elusive creatures.