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Myriapoda: a review of their status in Essex
Cryptops hortensis Leach
A common synanthropic centipede, especially
in the south (Barber & Keay 1988). There are
widely scattered records in Essex especially
in relatively well-worked parts of the county
and there is little doubt it will be found to be
much more widespread than the present data
suggests.
Cryptops parisi Brolemann
A species recorded from southern England, Wales and Ireland with a marked south-west bias in
distribution (Barber & Keay 1988). There is a 1940-1963 record shown in the 1988 provisional
national atlas for the 10km square TQ49 and S.J. Gregory recorded the centipede under stones in the
churchyard of St. James Church in Colchester (TM002253) on 3 January 1994.
Order Lithobiomorpha
Family Lithobiidae
Lithobius variegatus Leach
Although common in rural situations over much of Britain this easily identified centipede is apparently
absent from many eastern areas. It is commonest in scrub, woodland and acid heath/moorland (Barber
& Keay 1988) and despite many records in Kent as far north as the East Thames Corridor, the
centipede is certainly very rare in Essex with just a single record made by Dr S. Hopkin from
Blackweir Hill in Epping Forest (TQ427975) on 29 June 1985.
Lithobius forficatus (Linnaeus)
One of the commonest and most conspicuous
centipedes which is widespread over the
British Isles. In Essex it is widely recorded and
common. The map indicates the extent of
myriapod under-recording in the county better
than any other species.
Essex Naturalist (New Series) 17 (2000)