Banded Centipede - Lithobius variegatus

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Description

A reddish brown centipede up to 30mm long, with purple bands on its legs and centrally along its back.

Similar Species

Whilst broadly similar to other Lithobius centipedes, the banded legs help to distinguish it.

Identification difficulty
Habitat

It lives under stones or in decaying vegetation, often in compost heaps.

When to see it

All year round - It emerges at night to hunt.

Life History

It is predatory on other ground-dwelling creatures and can tackle prey larger than itself.

UK Status

Widespread and fairly common in Britain.

VC55 Status

Fairly common in Leicestershire and Rutland.

  • David Nicholls
    Martinshaw Wood
    12 December 2013
  • David Nicholls
    Martinshaw Wood
    22 January 2021
  • David Nicholls
    Bardon Hill
    24 March 2011
  • David Nicholls
    Ratby Burroughs
    17 November 2011
  • Graham Calow
    Burbage Common and Woods
    16 May 2013
  • David Nicholls
    Owston Wood
    14 June 2018
    6-7 forcipular teeth

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2020+ | 2015-2019 | pre-2015

UK Map

Species data profile ?

Species profile

Species group:
Centipedes & Millipedes
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Lithobiomorpha
Family:
Lithobiidae
Records on NatureSpot:
85
First record:
25/04/2008 (Nicholls, David)
Last record:
04/07/2024 (Nicholls, David)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

The latest images and records displayed below include those awaiting verification checks so we cannot guarantee that every identification is correct. Once accepted, the record displays a green tick.

In the Latest Records section, click on the header to sort A-Z, and again to sort Z-A. Use the header boxes to filter the list.

Latest images

Latest records

  • AJ Cann
    Cloud Wood
    17 December 2018
  • AJ Cann
    Cloud Wood
    17 December 2018
  • AJ Cann
    Cloud Wood
    17 December 2018
  • David Nicholls
    Bardon Hill
    25 April 2008
  • David Nicholls
    Burbage Wood
    12 April 2012
  • David Nicholls
    Thornton reservoir
    02 February 2021
  • David Nicholls
    Martinshaw Wood
    11 April 2009
  • Graham Calow
    Burbage Common and Woods
    12 April 2012
  • David Nicholls
    Sheet Hedges Wood
    02 February 2013
  • David Nicholls
    Martinshaw Wood
    07 April 2013
  • Annie Smith
    Charnwood Lodge NR
    27 April 2017
  • Barbara Cooper
    Felicity's Wood
    22 February 2018
  • Saharima Roenisch
    Beacon Hill Country Park
    25 March 2017
  • David Nicholls
    Owston Wood
    14 June 2018
    round pores on hind coxa
  • David Nicholls
    Owston Wood
    14 June 2018
    projections on tergites 6,7,8