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Allothereua maculata facts for kids

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Allothereua maculata
Allothereua maculata cropped.jpg
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Phylum:
Class:
Order:
Family:
Scutigeridae
Genus:
Allothereua
Species:
A. maculata
Binomial name
Allothereua maculata
(Newport, 1844)
Synonyms
  • Cermatia maculata Newport 1844
  • Scutigera maculata (Newport, 1844)
  • Allothereua australiana (Newport, 1845)
  • Allothereua latreillei (Newport, 1845)
  • Allothereua simplex (Haase, 1887)
  • Allothereua violacea (L. Koch, 1865)

Allothereua maculata is a species of centipedes found in Australia known as the house centipede – a name applied elsewhere to other species.

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.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Allothereua maculata para niños

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