07-18-2007, 05:29 PM
Hawai'i has the accidentally introduced Giant Centipede, Scolopendra subspinipes. The reddish brown adults are 6" or larger. Smaller immature ones have blue legs. They are supposed to be a lowland arthropod, but I see small centipedes in upper Puna at 4000'. They are nocturnal and hunt for other insects, worms, slugs, and geckos. During the day, they like to seek out dark, moist places. Like silverfish, scorpions, and sowbugs they seem to favor narrow spaces. There have been discussions in other threads about the painful bites (use the forum's search function). Ice will help to reduce the resultant swelling and can be an analgesic, too. Here's a way to treat a bite:
http://www.ehow.com/how_2023907_treat-ce...-bite.html
The Wikipedia entry mentions that centipede bites can transmit filaria, but that claim has no citation.
At least, we don't have Scolopendra gigantea, the Amazon Giant Centipede, which can grow to over 12" and is known to catch flying bats(!) and rodents.
As Stan's original post alludes, chickens are supposed to be a predator. Peacocks might also go for them, but their loud calls make them a less than suitable solution.
http://www.ehow.com/how_2023907_treat-ce...-bite.html
The Wikipedia entry mentions that centipede bites can transmit filaria, but that claim has no citation.
At least, we don't have Scolopendra gigantea, the Amazon Giant Centipede, which can grow to over 12" and is known to catch flying bats(!) and rodents.
As Stan's original post alludes, chickens are supposed to be a predator. Peacocks might also go for them, but their loud calls make them a less than suitable solution.