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Centipede Eggs

Centipedes may be a common household sight, but their young can be difficult to find. Most centipede eggs have a sticky exterior and are rolled in soil, making them nearly invisible. In temperate areas, centipede egg-laying occurs in spring and summer. In subtropical and tropical areas, centipedes may lay their eggs at any time.

Centipedes are solitary in nature and most species mate without direct contact. Males will spin small webs into which they deposit sperm. Females find these webs, take them in and fertilize the ova within their own bodies. However, some species do have courtship rituals. 

Egg-laying locations and habits vary by species. The Lithobiomorpha and Scutigeromorpha lay their eggs one by one in holes dug from the soil. The female then closes the holes over the eggs and leaves them there. The Geophilomorphapha and Scolopendromorpha, on the other hand, lay 15 to 60 eggs in nests built within soil or rotting wood. Females of these species coil around their eggs to guard them from predators and lick them to remove mold spores. Despite the care these species take, females sometimes abandon their eggs after a disturbance. At this time, fungi begin to grow and consume them.

Most species of centipedes lay eggs that hatch into larvae. Once hatched, most centipedes carry only a fraction of their sets of legs. They gain the rest of their legs through a series of molts. 

How Many Legs Does a Centipede Have?

What is the Difference Between Centipedes and Millipedes?

Number of Legs on a Centipede

Centipede Venom

Centipedes and Millipedes

Centipedes Reproductive Cycles

What Do Centipedes Eat?

Centipede Larvae