Identification, Images, & Information
For Insects, Spiders & Their Kin
For the United States & Canada

Species Theatops posticus

Centipede - Theatops posticus
Classification
Kingdom Animalia (Animals)
Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Class Chilopoda (Centipedes)
Order Scolopendromorpha (Tropical Centipedes)
Family Cryptopidae
Genus Theatops
Species posticus (Theatops posticus)
Identification
Note the absence of ocelli and the 21 pairs of legs & pedal segments, which place the specimen in Cryptopidae. The enlarged, heavily sclerotized, forcipulate caudal legs and the longer ultimate segment (longer than any of the others) identify the specimen as Theatops.
Range
One of 4 species of Theatops in the US and the more widespread of the 2 occurring east of the Mississippi River.