What is eastern bark centipede?

The eastern bark centipede, also known as Scolopocryptops sexspinosus, is a species of centipede belonging to the Scolopocryptopidae family. It can be found in the eastern United States, particularly in forests and wooded areas where it feeds on small insects and arthropods.

Eastern bark centipedes have a dark brown to black coloration with yellowish stripes running along the length of their bodies. They have numerous legs, typically ranging from 20 to 70 pairs, with each leg ending in a sharp spine.

These centipedes are nocturnal and are active mainly at night. They prefer to live under bark, logs, and leaf litter where they can find shelter and prey. They are known to be aggressive predators, using their venomous bite to immobilize their prey.

Despite their fearsome appearance, eastern bark centipedes are not harmful to humans and are generally considered beneficial as they help control pest populations in their habitat. They play an important role in the ecosystem as decomposers and predators.