“What a scolopendra!” - so sometimes people talk behind their eyes about malicious people who have a bad temper in general and cunning in particular. The word ends with the letter “a”, therefore, unflattering definition is more often addressed to women. In the original sense, it is not a curse, but an insect, which is considered exotic. By the way, females are really more poisonous, but this applies to most species of insects.
Scolopendra as a species
In fact, the brightest representatives of this species live in warm tropical countries. Some species can reach a length of two and a half decimeters, they prey on lizards, toads, mice, and if they are lucky, even birds. This creature consists of separate annular segments, equipped with legs, the number of which can vary from two dozen to 23 pairs (the largest number is not fixed). At the same time, the functional load is invariably carried by the fore and hind limbs. With the help of the rear legs, the skolopendra clings to everything that has fallen in order to hold on, and with the front legs it grabs the prey and stings it, after which it slowly and tastefully consumes food. The insect is a multi-legged "poison factory" that contains many bioactive compounds, from histamine and lecithin to serotonin and acetylcholine. An acute reaction to a bite usually lasts up to two hours, it is painful, accompanied by swelling, general weakness and fever.
It is difficult to surprise with exotic insects of Latin Americans and inhabitants of tropical islands. But in our country, they are found. For example, the Crimean ringed skolopendra is common, as is clear from its name, on the glorious Black Sea peninsula.
This insect is considered ugly. But not everyone shares the opinion of its unattractiveness. A scientist engaged in the study of biological species may well admire: “What a luxurious specimen!”, Considering a particularly large individual. Yes, and the creatures of the opposite sex, some of their brethren may seem quite attractive. On all the others, the Crimean skolopendra gives the impression that it is repulsive, which, however, is not very frustrating. In the stage of an imago, it reaches ten and sometimes fifteen centimeters in length. Outwardly, it looks like a caterpillar, equipped with additional "options" in the form of a variety of legs and threateningly protruding weapons. The colors are militaristic, the closest in color to khaki, olive-brown or brownish, which indicates, according to the gradation accepted in the insect world, about the unwillingness to enter into conflicts and the desire to sneak up secretly and then disappear.
Camouflage and camouflage
She knows how to hide and disguise, and skolopendra Crimean is so dangerous. A photo of an insect demonstrates its low visibility on common natural tones of the subtropics. Being non-aggressive in nature, she is easily frightened, despite the threatening appearance. The reaction is the release of a special poisonous substance, sticky and scalding. This mucus causes itching, burning and allergies, especially in people prone to a painful reaction to toxins. It is necessary to be afraid of touches, not to mention tighter contact. It is difficult to avoid meeting with this unpleasant centipede precisely because of its good disguise and the habit of this insect to seek shelter wherever it is possible to hide from bright light.
Seeking asylum
Crimean skolopendra poses a particular danger to tourists, "savages", traveling with tents. While spending the night somewhere on Tarkhankut, one should not forget that the tent should be closed, leaving only the buttoned mesh canopy. Shooting, it will not be superfluous to turn over and shake shoes or sneakers, and then look at them. It is necessary to inspect both the sleeping bag and all wear items. The insect manifests activity only at night, by morning it tries to crouch in a quieter place to sit out there all day. If there are no tents with tourists, this large centipede simply buries in loose soil (sand will come down), but the desire for excessive comfort is harmful not only to people. As soon as visitors arrive, the insect seeks to find a more comfortable place. Unfortunately, the Crimean skolopendra does not understand the purpose of things and mistakenly believes that no one will need them during daylight hours. Meeting people leads to mutual trouble.
Scolopendra Bite
Mucous secretions of scolopendra in contact with human skin cause unpleasant consequences, but this is not the only and not the main means of its self-defense. She also stings. The bite causes severe swelling, swelling, and allergies even occur to those who have never suffered from it. Do not be too afraid, and even more panic, scolopendra poison in most cases is not lethal. Maybe this is why humanity did not bother to develop an antidote and did not even come up with any special treatment methods in case of its bite. A couple of days more, then it will pass by itself - this is the main recommendation. In rare exceptional cases, you need to seek medical help, and then the doctor will prescribe a course that takes into account the characteristics of the body of the victim, who has, as a rule, allergic problems, aggravations of which have caused, unwillingly, the Crimean skolopendra. It is also necessary to remember that its poison reaches its greatest "destructive power" in May, then it becomes weaker.
Scolopendra Crimean in the house. What to do?
This bastard loves comfort. If there is a choice between open land or human habitation, she will choose the latter. It is easy for her to get into the house; a flexible body and a multitude of extremities make it possible to climb into the crack, dive under the door, or slip into the window. But what the Crimean skolopendra is facing right after the housewarming is the hostility of the “indigenous inhabitants”, people and animals. The insect is usually of impressive size, and it is difficult for him to hide his presence, wherever it beats, and the tail will hang out. The neighborhood is definitely unpleasant.
It is necessary to dwell on the regrettable fact that ordinary insecticides have little effect on the creation, which itself actively produces poisons. I do not want to touch the hand of such a disgusting monster, as Skolopendra Crimean. How to get rid of it with the least loss?
It’s best to just slam it with something heavy, considering, of course, its extraordinary vitality. Even having received injuries incompatible with life, the insect wriggles for a long time, terribly waving its tail and poisonous front paws.
The second way is to cover the skolopendra with something heavy, like a glass jar and watch its slow death from hunger and thirst.
Prevention of the appearance of these unpleasant centipedes is the maintenance of dryness in the home, without water they cannot.
Lifestyle
Crimean skolopendra prefers to lead a hidden lifestyle, while it is perfectly able to sneak up and quietly hide. These arthropods run fast enough, which allows them to hunt very successfully. During the day, these creatures lurk in wet places: under the forest floor, in the lowlands between the stones, in the soil tier of damp areas. Activity manifest with the onset of darkness.
The Crimean ringed skolopendra consumes both insects and small animals as food, which it is larger than.
On a note! The venom of these arthropods is not as toxic as in other closely related species.
In hunting skolopendre helps a good sense of smell and antennae, located on the hind legs - they catch the slightest vibration. Seed by numerous legs, the hunter overtakes the prey, presses under him and delivers several blows to disorient. And as soon as the victim freezes for a moment, the scolopendra bites her and immediately jumps to the side. Under the influence of poison, the insect gradually begins to weaken, but at the same time some make attempts to escape. However, this undertaking is hopeless - the swift hunter never for a second loses sight of his prey and puts a bite after the bite until she dies, after which the Scolopendra begins the meal.
In the diet of the Crimean skolopendry are beetles, crickets, grasshoppers, and sometimes small lizards.
Breeding
Ringed skolopendra that lives in the Crimea, is able to produce offspring without fertilization, that is, without the participation of males. This type of reproduction is called parthenogenesis, the so-called virgin reproduction, when female eggs have the ability to grow without being fertilized.
Young scolopendra differ from adults only in their size. They spend some time near the female, after which they disperse throughout the territory. In the fall, centipedes prepare for wintering - with their powerful legs, they dig their burrows or simply burrow under a mossy snag. In the chosen place they sleep in splendid isolation until the very spring.
On a note! Particularly poisonous and aggressive Crimean ringed scolopendra becomes spring, when the breeding season begins again. However, in the fall, its bite can not be called absolutely harmless!
Spread
The Crimean centipede is found throughout the territory of the Crimea peninsula, in the south in somewhat larger numbers. These creatures can live in different conditions - both mountainous and coastal areas are acceptable for them.
You can also meet with the Crimean skolopendra in the southern regions of Europe, in North Africa and in the Mediterranean countries.
Toxicity
Since Skolopendra Crimean prefers to lead a hidden lifestyle and is always well camouflaged, it is quite easy not to notice and disturb her while on vacation. And since this arthropod is also very aggressive, then at the slightest sense of danger it will attack.
Is the Crimean skolopendra dangerous for humans? The poison of these arthropods consists of a set of enzymes that can not only kill prey, but also digest its internal contents. For a man, this poisonous secret of mortal danger does not constitute, although it causes quite tangible pain. After a bite, the affected area can become very inflamed, often the body temperature rises, chills and aches appear. As a result, negligence can turn into a heavy payback - an indisposition that lasts for several days. However, usually all symptoms disappear after 2-3 days.
Tip! But despite this, after the bite of scolopendra, it is still advisable to consult a doctor, especially when a child, an allergic person or a person with a weakened immune system is in the role of the victim!
But not only the bite of the Crimean skolopendry causes pain. At the moment of fright, this arthropod releases a sticky substance, on contact with which you can feel a strong burning sensation and itching. In addition, this secret in contact with the skin can provoke an allergic reaction.
Methods of struggle
Crimean Scolopendra quite often climbs into the living quarters. Due to the special structure of the body and its flexibility, this creature crawls with ease through the narrowest slots, under the entrance doors and even through ventilation grilles with large cells. But at the same time, the Crimean skolopendra does not remain in the room for a long time unnoticed, and right there in front of the house owners there is a question how to get rid of such an unpleasant and to a certain extent dangerous guest.
What not to do?
To begin with, we will consider options that will not be effective, but at the same time it is they who first turn to for help.
- If at the moment this large centipede is in your field of vision, then it will not work to kill it with a newspaper. First of all, this is due to the fact that it moves very quickly, and the dense shell reliably protects its flat body. Most likely, it will also not be possible to trample, since the sole of slippers for the covers of this creature is soft and skolopendra for some time will simply squeeze into its surface.
- As for the use of insecticidal aerosols, it is quite difficult to obtain the expected result in this case. Why? Scolopendra is not an insect against which the action of such drugs is directed, and therefore a large amount of money is necessary to kill it in this way — you have to spend an entire bottle of the drug on one centipede. And since these arthropods run very fast and immediately hide at the slightest danger, long-term spraying is not possible.
On a note! In order to destroy the Crimean skolopendr, settled in your house, you must use solutions with a high concentration of the active substance!
Effective Sklopendra Expulsion Activities
In order for the Crimean ringed skolopendra to leave your home, you must create unfavorable conditions for its existence:
- we do general cleaning in all rooms, after which we thoroughly air them - in this case it is very important to eliminate humidity and damp,
- if there are cockroaches, ants and other insects in your house, then you should definitely get rid of them, since they form the basis of the scolopendra diet,
Tip! And here it is advisable to use aerosol insecticides, which give a positive result in a short time!
In such conditions, the Crimean ringed skolopendra will not be able to live and is guaranteed to leave your home. You will need to maintain low humidity and cleanliness in all its rooms.
Some biological features
Crimean, or rather ringed, skolopendra is a representative of the family of long-legged centipedes. In the biological nomenclature it is called Scolopendra cingulata.
Scolopendra can eat any creature that does not exceed its dimensions, so it hunts even small lizards or snakes. In length, it reaches 10-15 cm, it grows during life. Small individuals of light golden color become olive and brown with age. The photo allows to evaluate the structure of their body, but not the coloring.
The legs are short but strong, noticeably lighter than the rest. The torso is flat and protected by a dense chitinous shell, characterized by enormous strength. Such features help Scolopendra easily penetrate even into small gaps. She runs very fast and has excellent maneuverability.
Scolopendra - an aggressive insect! A clear interest in her, or an attempt to catch, will inevitably provoke an attack, remember this.
Areola habitat in Crimea
Scolopendra lives throughout southern Europe and on the Mediterranean shores of African states. She chooses places where the humidity is high enough, there is a shadow, a lot of secluded corners and food.
In the Crimea, on the South Coast, skolopendra are rarely seen, in the West Bank, they are almost not found, and on the East are a common species. But this does not mean that the rest on the PBC, for example in Evpatoria, can be completely calm. Scolopendra love humidity, they need secluded areas, dry steppe does not suit them, they are not on the beaches. But where there is dampness, stones, scorched foliage, rotten wood - there will be them.
For this reason, skolopendry often come across in the mountains, but on the slopes facing the sea, and near the rivers. They are nocturnal, and during the day they hide under boulders, tree trunks, dead leaves and various crevices. Turning pebbles out of the ground or rolling fallen trunks in the Crimea should be done carefully - under them several disgruntled individuals can be found at once.
Crimean skolopendry come across in private homes, if they are wet enough. They are traditional guests in garages, basements and cellars. Crimeans are not surprised even when they discover a dangerous insect in an apartment, on the last floor of a modern high-rise building.
How dangerous is the Crimean skolopendra for a person?
People have reason to fear ringed skolopendr - these are poisonous centipedes. A healthy adult will not kill their poison, but it will provide 1-3 days of illness. Individuals with poor health, children, allergies, when meeting with her, generally risk their lives.
What is dangerous skolopendra in the Crimea? Its bite is very painful, inflammation, swelling and redness occur quickly around it. The victim of an attack will have a fever, a headache, aching joints, hallucinations may begin, various manifestations of allergy may develop (including asphyxiation).
But skolopendre not even have to bite to bring trouble. If she is irritated, her body releases a poisonous liquid. She runs down the legs. Если разозленная особь просто проползет по обнаженному участку человеческого туловища, уже возникнет отравление. Ощущение можно сравнить с ожогом, на коже тут же появляется красный след, похожий на результат удара хорошей розгой или ожог утюгом. Если присмотреться, в нем видны две линии красных точек – следы ножек. Симптомы отравления похожи на те, что возникают при укусе.
First aid in all cases one:
- Rinse the affected area well with soda solution, but just water will do. It would be nice to wipe with alcohol.
- It needs to be cooled (with ice from the freezer or a cold compress) - it will be less sore.
- Inside should take any antihistamine drug that is in stock.
- Treat your temperature and headache symptomatically, as with flu or acute respiratory disease.
If on the second day of the manifestations of poisoning intensified, you must go to the doctor. Small children or allergies should be transported to him immediately after the bite.
How to get rid of centipedes? Precautionary measures
But with the veracity of all these "horror films", scolopendra is a useful animal. It destroys a lot of harmful insects. Her hit in the living space guarantees the main plus - cockroaches and spiders in it will not become extremely fast, which is to say - even the deadly Black Widow (karakurt) is not a competitor to her. The man for her is not a prey, she herself just will not attack him.
Conclusion: for the sake of safety, if possible, exclude the meeting with the scolopendra, and do not touch it when meeting it. There is no need, without extreme need, to turn the stones and stir up the foliage. Tourists are advised to remove such things away from the tent and carefully inspect it from the inside before rebound so that the centipede does not accidentally climb there. One cannot walk in open shoes in the mountains of Crimea, although it is unwise to even without insects in question.
So that the Crimean skolopendra does not climb up to your home, carefully seal the points of entry and exit of pipes, securely fix the baseboards, ensure tight closing of doors and windows. But the main thing - it is necessary that the dwelling was dry, there should not be small animals in it.
How to get rid of scolopendra, if it still penetrated into a dwelling or garage? Not so easy. Slam it with a sneaker like a cockroach will not work - a durable shell will withstand a blow. If we beat her, then something hard (hammer, shovel, shovel), and strongly, or literally smear shoes on the floor. But for this it is necessary to get on it, and her reaction is more expressive than that of a person. It does not react to ordinary chemical insecticides.
It is recommended to thoroughly dry the room and with the help of insecticides of lime in it all living things (less than scolopendra sizes). Then the centipede will soon clean up itself in more "bread" areas. And, of course, if the opportunity presented itself, it is best to kill her in the house.
In general, the Crimean ringed skolopendra is dangerous for humans in the same circumstances as other animals - when it seems to her that they are encroaching on it. In conclusion, we offer a video about this insect, enjoy it!
The largest centipedes of Crimea
In Crimea, there are several species of large centipedes - it is skolopendry, kippers, and flycatchers. Each holiday season has to talk about them vacationers, and reassure those who are already “lucky” to meet them. True, there are not many of them, because all our centipedes lead a secretive lifestyle and for some reason do not want to communicate with tourists.
Crimean Flycatchers
Large, very nimble and completely harmless centipedes.
The common flycatcher (lat. Scutigera coleoptrata) is a centipede from the squad class Scutigeromorpha. Reaches a length of 35-60 mm. It hunts for flies, moths, cockroaches, spiders, fleas, mosquitoes and other small arthropods.
If your number has been visited by this “monster”, thank him, it is predatory and actively catches various insects, including those with whom it is extremely unpleasant to coexist. The only drawback of the flycatcher is reflected in such demotivators:
At night, a flycatcher, catching insects, can fall from the ceiling onto your bed. But I hasten to calm - it will be ticking from it, flashing with all fifteen pairs of its heels. She has a decent speed - up to 40 cm per second.
The flycatcher has poison and even causes burning when bitten, but to make her bite you, you need to catch it and stick your finger in her nose, and she’s running away, I remind you - at a speed of 40 cm per second.
Here is a video of a flycatcher who decided to hunt in our apartment:
During the shooting, no animals were injured.
Crimean Seariars
These beautiful centipedes of Crimea, gray-brown with a metallic tint, are real champions in the number of legs, they are 740 at the kivsiak! There are not many of them in the Western and Eastern Crimea, but on the South Coast of these invertebrates scurrying around in the old foliage can be seen in any park.
Kivsyak Crimean (Pachyiulus flavipes) squad of two-legged centipedes. Large terrestrial invertebrates inhabiting forest litter and processing plant waste into humus. Usually about 40 mm long, but you can find specimens and twice as many.
These vegetarians are rather slow, they are often found on the outer walls of houses, but they don’t seek inside, unlike flycatchers, because they have nothing to eat there. Their jaws are so weak that they are not only human skin, they cannot even bite through root vegetables (note to gardeners), they feed only on what has already begun to rot itself. So, do not offend the harmless Kipsyaks, they are working to improve the already so poor Crimean soils.
Here is a video of a small Navishka exploring the bas-relief of A.S. Pushkin on Fiolent:
Not tropical, they reach a quarter of a meter in length, but also not small.
Crimean skolopendry
At the first meeting, the skolopendra makes an indelible impression on our man, who is not used to such monsters. Even I, a person with a special education, noticing this miracle in my bedroom, which is located on the 4th floor of a multistory building in Sevastopol, ran for half an hour over the ceiling.
Ringed scolopendra (Scolopendra cingulata) is a species of bilobate centipedes from the genus Scolopendra, common in southern Europe. Length 10-15 cm. Predator, consumes almost everything that is no more than its size, from insects to small lizards.
The chance to meet her for a tourist who came to Crimea for a week or two is not great, especially if he prefers beach holidays and visits to sights to hiking in wild places. Scolopendr met not even all Aborigines. They are almost nonexistent in the Western and Mountainous Crimea, few on the South Coast of the Crimea, and quite a few in the east of the peninsula.
In the reserve "Karalarskaya steppe" we met them at every turn. At the same time, none of them, and all of them were more than 10 cm in length, were not interested in us, but were not even frightened. They simply went about their business, completely ignoring the anthropogenic factor.
No matter where you travel, be sure to remember about scolopendra - check the tents, before going to bed, shoes, before you put on your shoes, things before you take them. This centipede may well rest there.
What is dangerous skolopendra? She can bite, but this happens extremely rarely, usually frightened, she releases a poisonous liquid on her legs and, running through the open skin, leaves an inflamed band on the body. This place will soon begin to burn, the person's temperature will rise, and a few hours, or even a couple of days, a lot of unpleasant sensations await him. For an adult healthy person, scolopendra poison is not lethal. A child or a person with poor health, as well as allergies, must be shown to a doctor. If the centipede was not scared, then its “run” for you will remain without consequences.
Now, I do not understand why scolopendra was so afraid. On the contrary, I like these menacing, albeit beautiful, even graceful animals for which it is interesting to watch, and which do not show the slightest aggression towards people.
We have some videos of scolopendr, but this is the most interesting:
They accidentally caught a yellow-footed (legless lizard) hunting for a scolopendra and, apparently, saved the last one, because the yellow-fowl, having seen us, immediately let it go and rushed away:
Despite the large size and intimidating appearance, one thing unites all the Crimean centipedes - they have no desire to deal with people. Well, they don’t want to bite us, huge and scary, they just want to live in the Crimea, be fruitful, go about their business, in general, do what they always did, long before ruthless two-legged predators appeared on the peninsula.
