Kingdom Animalia Genus Allothereua Phylum Arthropoda Rank Species | Family Scutigeridae Scientific name Allothereua maculata Higher classification Allothereua Order Scutigeromorpha | |
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Similar Allothereua, Scutigeromorpha, Thereuopoda, Notostigmophora, Scutigeridae | ||
Allothereua maculata is a species of centipede found in Australia known as the house centipede – a name applied elsewhere to other species.
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Description
The body of Allothereua maculata is made up of 15 segments and bears 15 pairs of long legs. The body is pale brown with dark markings, and grows to 20–25 millimetres (0.8–1.0 in) long. It bears one pair of antennae on the head and a similarly long pair of caudal appendages at the tail end.
Distribution
Allothereua maculata is the most common scutigeromorph centipede across southern Australia, occurring from Western Australia to Queensland.
Ecology
Allothereua maculata lives in urban areas and woodland. Its occurrence in houses indicates dampness and a lack of ventilation. A. maculata is a predator of insects and other arthropods, but is generally considered harmless.