Discovering Bugs: Meet the Coolest Creepy Crawlies on the Planet
GIANT CENTIPEDE SCOLOPENDRA GIGANTEA WHERE South America and the Caribbean SIZE 30 26 centimeters 12 10 inches LOOK FOR Long slender body with lots of legs BUG BITE Much like its more common relative the giant centipede has dozens of legs running along its body The giant centipede is the largest of all centipedes and can reach up to 12 inches in length Centipedes are venomous and while their venom is not often dangerous to humans it makes them a vicious predator The giant centipede is a carnivore and its size allows it to prey on insects as well as other animals such as lizards frogs small birds mice and even bats The centipede then uses its venom to capture its prey 8
9 The giant centipede will crawl to the ceiling of caves hang from its back sets of legs and wait for a passing bat to get close enough to catch
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COMMON EUROPEAN EARWIG FORFICULA AURICULARIA WHERE North America Europe and western Asia SIZE 12 20 millimeters about 1 2 inch LOOK FOR Reddish brown color flat body and pincers on the end of the body BUG BITE Despite the name earwigs don’t live in ears In fact they can live in a wide variety of environments and are found in many different parts of the world These distinctive little insects have pincers at the end of their bodies and the males generally have larger and more curved pincers than the females Although they can fly common earwigs rarely do These bugs can be a real pest They mostly come out at night and take shelter in dark damp places They can be very invasive if they take up residence in a house and will get into everything including floorboards household plants pantries and even furniture and clothing This bug is classified as invasive in North America and Australia 11
