I believe this is Scolopocryptops sexspinosus, the eastern red centipede. Females protect the clutch from predators and mold spores, and some species also protect young after they hatch.

  • SalamanderA
    2·
    2 years ago

    I thought it was a pendant at first!

    How do they protect the eggs from mold spores by holding them like this? Do they eat the mold as soon as they detect it? Can the mom detect the spores themselves?

    • LogLurker OPM
      2·
      2 years ago

      I’m not sure if we have a good understanding of how the centipedes detect spores, but they frequently groom the eggs by licking them, which is thought to remove potential fungi and bacteria. It may be that this is a proactive rather than reactive measure.

      • SalamanderA
        1·
        2 years ago

        Cool, interesting! I wonder if it is simply the physical removal of them, or if the saliva of centipedes has bactericidal and fungicidal compounds!