Symphyla
Scutigerellidae
Scolopendrellidae
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Symphylans, also known as
Garden Centipedes or
Glasshouse Symphylans, are
soil-dwelling
arthropods of the Class
Symphyla in the Subphylum
Myriapoda. Symphylans resemble
centipedes, but are smaller and translucent. They can move rapidly through the pores between soil particles, and typically are found from the surface down to a depth of about 50 cm. They consume decaying vegetation, but can do considerable harm in an
agricultural setting by consuming seeds, roots, and root hairs in cultivated soil.
Juveniles have six pairs of legs, but, over a lifetime of several years, add an additional pair at each molt so that the adult
instar has twelve pairs of legs. Lacking eyes, their long
antennae serve as sense organs. About 160 species are known worldwide.
