Cryptops anomalans Newport, 1844

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Status:

  • GB IUCN status: Not applicable (non-native)
  • GB rarity status: Naturalised

ID Difficulty

3

Identification

The genus Cryptops is readily recognisable due to the presence of 21 leg pairs (all other British and Irish centipedes have 15 pairs or at least 35 pairs). However species identification is difficult. 

When fully grown Cryptops anomalans is large and impressive centipede reaching 50 mm. The first tergite bears a characteristic ‘X’ suture. Examination of the tibial and tarsal saw teeth of the last legs is also diagnostic. Smaller immatures are easily confused with C. parisi and the common C. hortensis.

More information to allow accurate identification is given in the published identification keys by Tony Barber (2008 & 2009).

J.P. Richards
Andy Keay
Andy Keay
Andy Keay
Andy Keay
Christian Owen
Keith Lugg
Christian Owen
Andy Marquis

Distribution

Cryptops anomalans occurs patchily across England and Wales, as far north as Cumbria (BMIG Newsletter 47, pg 10), but more frequent in the south-east. There is a single Irish record on the east coast (Dublin). 

Habitat

It is a synanthropic species typically found in gardens, churchyards in towns and cities. 

It is typically found by rolling over stones, but also under dead wood among human rubbish. 

This account is based on the 'Centipede Atlas' (Barber, 2022).

Links

ChiloBase 2.0 - World Catalogue of Centipedes: https://chilobase.biologia.unipd.it/searches/result_species/897

BRC code

18

idBmigTaxa

Cen_127