CHILOPODA (centipedes) > GEOPHILOMORPHA (soil centipedes) > Linotaeniidae

Strigamia crassipes is a widely recorded species in the south. It's a reddish-brown, fairly stout centipede that can be up to 50mm long. It has between 49-53 pairs of legs, much the same as Geophilous easoni and, consequently, despite the size difference, which is of little use unless you had a fully developed individual of both species alongside each other, the two could be confused. Fortunately, its body length ratio in respect of its breadth is slightly less than Geophilus easoni at around 25:1 and its antennae are proportionally shorter at 2.5 to 3 times the breadth of its head. And, with a good view from above, you should be able to see that the forcipular tergite is noticeably broader than the head. A combination of these specific features together with the correct number of legs should distinguish the species.    

It is also extremely similar in appearance to the coastal Strigamia maritima, but that species is only found on beaches around the high-water mark so can't realistically be confused.

Current records for Strigamia crassipes are sparce, but those that have been verified indicate that it's mainly a southern species typically found in woodland.

For reference, the individuals featured below have 49 or 51 pairs of legs, and a calculated body length ratio of pretty much bang on 25:1 as the 'key'.