Scutigera coleoptrata

Spinning rotor

The spinning rotor ( andScutigera coleoptrata ), also known as spiders Assel, a centipede from the family of Scutigeridae. The original probably originating from the Mediterranean species was spread by humans in Europe, Asia and North America.

• 3.1 Notes and references

Features

Spinning rotor reach a total length of up to 15 centimeters, of which the actual body makes up only 25 to 30 millimeters. They are olive green to yellow with three dark longitudinal stripes along the back, which can be black, blue, purple or green. The legs are black annulated. The head is large and hemispherical with conspicuous compound eyes, each with 100 to 200 ommatidia. The side ansitz antennas are very long and have up to 300 members on. At its basal joint sits a shaft body. Between eye and antenna is a small Tömösvary organ. The mandibles are very large. The first maxillae have on the ventral side bristles and extensions to clean up the antennae and legs. As with other Scutigeridae, but unlike most centipedes the body is round in cross section. He has in adult animals to 15 segments each with a pair of legs, the back plates ( tergites ) but are fused into seven panels, each having a central blowhole. The legs are very long and are from front to back for more. They are in contrast to the usual centipedes two with 34 or more individual muscles. The well-developed coxae bear a ventral spur, Präfemur, femur and tibia longitudinal rows of short spines and three long Enddornen. The trochanter is reduced. The long, many-jointed tarsi have bristles and hooks on the bottom. The last and longest pair of legs is not the locomotion and probably acts as a rear tactile organ.

Way of life

Activity and locomotion

Spinning rotor are among the fastest runners among the arthropods and can reach speeds of up to 420 millimeters per second ( ~ 1,5 km / h) to achieve at a step width of 33 millimeters. This is achieved by various adjustments. The other centipedes reduced compared leg number increases along the hull length permits a free, sweeping movement of the individual legs, wherein the complex muscle allows a rotating movement of the enlarged coxae, wherein the movement of the leg to the rear is significantly longer than the forward so that power is sacrificed over speed. The reduced number of back plates thereby stiffens the body to reduce lateral snaking. The metabolism required for rapid locomotion is supported by a sophisticated breathing system that consists of several times branching tracheae, which are muscular supplies to increase by 90 to 200 movements per minute pumping gas exchange. As blood pigment occurs as with other Scutigeridae hemocyanin.

Dissemination

It is particularly common in the Mediterranean area, but has been introduced also in the vineyards, which are usually in sunny areas, in southwest Germany. It feeds on insects, especially flies and is estimated accordingly by the winemakers as a useful Schädlingsvertilger. In Germany the species is mainly used in homes. From the South Baden (Kaiser chair area) you know the animals outside human buildings.