Lithobius forficatus

Taxobox | name = "Lithobius forficatus"

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image_width = 280px
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Arthropoda
subphylum = Myriapoda
classis = Chilopoda
ordo = Lithobiomorpha
familia = Lithobiidae
genus = "Lithobius"
species = "L. forficatus"
binomial = "Lithobius forficatus"
binomial_authority = Linnaeus, 1758

"Lithobius forficatus" , most commonly known as the Brown Centipede, is a common European centipede of the family Lithobiidae. It is between 18 and 30 mm long and up to 4 mm broad and is a chestnut brown colour.

It is similar to a variety of other European lithobiid centipedes, particularly the striped centipede, "Lithobius variegatus". However, "L. forficatus" does not have stripes on its legs. Like most lithobids, it is found in the upper layers of soil, particularly under rocks and rotting logs. This species can be fairly easily identified by an experienced myriapodologist by its reaction to being revealed, which is to run extremely quickly for cover. This is different from many of the other species of large lithobid, which tend to be less extreme in their evasion behaviour.

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