I believe this is Scolopocryptops sexspinosus, the eastern red centipede. Females protect the clutch from predators and mold spores, and some species also protect young after they hatch.
I believe this is Scolopocryptops sexspinosus, the eastern red centipede. Females protect the clutch from predators and mold spores, and some species also protect young after they hatch.
I’m not sure if we have a good understanding of how the centipedes detect spores, but they frequently groom the eggs by licking them, which is thought to remove potential fungi and bacteria. It may be that this is a proactive rather than reactive measure.
Cool, interesting! I wonder if it is simply the physical removal of them, or if the saliva of centipedes has bactericidal and fungicidal compounds!