Identification, Images, & Information
For Insects, Spiders & Their Kin
For the United States & Canada
Photo#50108
Giant Redheaded Centipede - Scolopendra heros

Giant Redheaded Centipede - Scolopendra heros
Outside of Brownsville off Highway 48, Cameron County, Texas, USA
April 30, 2006
Size: Approximately 5 inches

Images of this individual: tag all
Giant Redheaded Centipede - Scolopendra heros Giant Redheaded Centipede - Scolopendra heros Giant Redheaded Centipede - Scolopendra heros Giant Redheaded Centipede - Scolopendra heros

Scolopendra heros
Still another color variant of S. heros Girard, 1853, the largest-bodied centipede in North America, growing up to 7 inches or so. It ranges from Kansas & southern Missouri to Louisiana, and westward through Texas & New Mexico/eastern Colorado to the Colorado River in Arizona. It ranges southward about 1/4 of the way into Mexico, and has not been authentically found west of the Colorado River in California.

 
west of the Colorado River in CA
Found one in my pool (fell in and drowned overnight). It was about 5-1/2" long and looked fierce. I live in northeastern San Diego County.

 
Centipede in pool
I know you posted that about 2 years ago.. surprised no one told you that what you found was likely Scolopendra polymorpha. S. heros is not likely in CA, and if it was, it would probably be the orange one with a black head, not this brownish one with orange head. Just sayin!

Great photos
This thing looks dangerous! Hope I never run into one!
Carla Finley
Venice, FL
http://community.webshots.com/user/CarlaFinley