Myriapoda: a review of their status in Essex
Family Schendylidae
Schendyla nemorensis (CL. Koch 1837)
Widespread with a tendency to be more
abundant in the south of Britain (Barber &
Keay 1988). Although there are widely
scattered records in Essex, most are from
locations in the north-east made by S.J.
Gregory in 1991, 1992 and 1994.
Brachyschendyla dentata Brolemann & Ribaut
With only four 10km square records for this inconspicous centipede shown in the 1988 provisional
national atlas, it seems strange that Recorder should give this species a national status of Local, but
it is assumed to be grossly under-recorded, as evidenced by the majority of records being from the
gardens of centipede enthusiasts. The only Essex record is by S.J. Gregory, found under a seed tray
in a domestic garden at Stanway, Colchester (TL959235) on 25 December 1992.
Family Geophilidae
Henia vesuviana (Newport)
The only records for Essex are by Dr S.Hopkin from Woodford Rubbish Tip (TQ416893 Jon the 29
June 1985, 5 May 1986 and 8 February 1987 (records in the former Passmore Edwards Museum
database), and for TQ49 shown in the 1988 provisional national atlas. The species is mostly found
near the coast with a marked bias towards urban sites (Barber & Keay 1988). It is usually found
among stones or dead wood in disturbed soils and is likely to be found elsewhere in the county,
especially along the East Thames Corridor.
Strigamia crassipes (CL. Koch)
A local species widely distributed in the south of Britain found in litter and under stones and bark in
grassland and woodland. There arc three recent records in north-east Essex, made by S.J. Gregory
in deciduous woodland at Chest Wood (TL964212) on28 December 1991 and Boxted (TM009335)
on 28 December 1992, then at Cymbeline Meadows (TL985261) on 3 January 1994. The 1988
provisional national atlas shows a 1964-1988 record for the 10km square TQ49 and pre-1940 records
for TM02, TQ59 and TQ69, together with pre-1940 records for TQ47and 57 which probably originate
in Kent.
Essex Naturalist (New Series) 17 (2000)