house centipede, Scutigera coleoptrata

[Richard Lord]

How common and widespread is the house centipede, Scutigera coleoptrata, in the Channel Islands?  The reason I ask is because it was reported in someone's home in The Guernsey Press recently.  Yesterday my son showed me an image of a house centipede on his mobile phone, which he had photographed recently at another home in Guernsey.

I seem to remember, but I may be wrong, that when I found it on 10 June 2007 on the pebble shore at La Valette bathing pools south of St. Peter Port on Guernsey's east coast it hadn't been officially recorded in Guernsey before.  

The house centipede is, I believe, an insect eater.  I do not know what it was feeding on on the pebble shore although the sea slaters, Ligia oceanica, it was accompanying, were munching on left-over crisps and Magnum bars on the shore.

Since seeing the house centipede at La Valette I have seen it running at night along the top of the wall of Castle Breakwater, St. Peter Port, Guernsey.

Image of house centipede on concrete steps at La Valette bathing pools on 10 June 2007:

http://www.sealordphotography.net/gallery/5539553_v89Cx#341783900_K4UXM

Best wishes,

Richard

Richard Lord

fish...@guernsey.net

Tel: +44 (0)1481 700688

Fax: +44 (0)1481 700686

[Remy de Carteret]

Hi

three or four years ago, when I was based down at Pittonerie Road, I found one of these under my desk. I'd never seen one before and it caused a lot of interest in the office. Never seen one since though.

Regards,

RdeC

[Guernsey Biological Records Centre]

Dear Richard

 

It seems to be fairly common, it has been recorded here in Guernsey since 1896 - the first record was from a workman who found one in the Pollet and took it to the Guille Alles Library. The first record  I have traced from Jersey was in 1956.  I get two or three people a year bringing specimens or photographs to the Records Centre asking what it is. Most of the records are from houses, but in Jersey & Guernsey it also occurs outdoors, which apparently it does not do in England.  Your records from La Valette were unusual as they were outdoors, - and I have found it under stones occasionally in Jersey.

 

Best wishes

 

Charles

 

Guernsey Biological Records Centre
Old Tobacco Factory
La Ramée
St Peter Port
Guernsey
GY1 2ET
tel 715799
fax 715788
www.biologicalrecordscentre.gov.gg

[Jamie Hooper]

House Centipedes have mobile phones?

----- Original Message -----

From: Richard Lord

To: cien...@googlegroups.com

Sent: Friday, July 24, 2009 7:09 AM

Subject: [CIEnviron] house centipede, Scutigera coleoptrata

[Kirsten Morel]

I regularly (2 or 3 times a month) see house centipedes in Jersey, particularly in suburban St Helier. Living at First Tower, we've had a four or five this summer but Rouge Bouillon seems to be a hotspot with a friend I know living there having a couple a week. When I used to live in that area I would see them very often. On the other hand, growing up in rural St Lawrence, I didn't see one in 25 years!

2009/7/24 Jamie Hooper <jamie....@cwgsy.net>

[Andy Smith]

Just to update, Clouded Yellow have now been noted in Guernsey, one at the back of Les Vauxbelets at the bottom of the valley along Les Grands Guillaumes lane on 22nd, and another example yesterday 23rd to south of the waste treatment plant at La Creux Mahié which was just inside square WV2674.

 

 As a sidenote walking down Les Grands Guillaumes lane from Candie Road direction, a short way down the slope on the left hand side hedge was what looked very much like Japanese Knotweed to me- maybe someone could take a look and report to the appropriate authorities if I am correct?

 

 

BTW Jamie, I think even you might have trouble ringing a House Centipede!

 

 Best regards

 

   Andy S.

 

[Jamie Hooper]

Andy,

 

I saw a Clouded Yellow yesterday (23rd) too. It was in St. Peter Port somewhere and was a very deep yellow specimen. Although I was thinking to myself 'Finally!' as they have been scarce this year, I can't remember exactly where I (or it) was.

 

Regarding Knotweed, it currently falls through the cracks of existing legislation and is not controlled, unlike Ragwort, some thistles etc. The States do try to control it on their land though.

 

As for ringing centipedes, unless I can get them to wear shoes, the ring won't stay on...

 

Jamie

 

 

----- Original Message -----

From: Andy Smith

To: cien...@googlegroups.com