The biology of the garden centipede,<i>Scutigerella immaculata</i>

Abstract

does not appear. First page follows. Introduction An attempt has been made in this study, not only to extend the knowledge concerning the garden centipede, Scutigerella immaculata (Newp.), but also to bring together much of the literature pertaining to it. The entire field is so extensive that it has not been possible to make a complete study of it. For this reason some of the material given has been obtained wholly from the literature. The fields most thoroughly studied are those which deal with the biological aspects. Many of the activities of the garden centipede have never been investigated thoroughly, and since the organism is a serious economic pest, it seemed probable that a better understanding of its biology might aid in directing control measures. During the present investigation the garden centipede has been studied under a great variety of conditions, including those of the laboratory, field, and greenhouse. Most of the field studies were confined to the low, rich, delta lands of the lower Sacramento River (fig. 1). Conditions over much of this area appear to be ideal for all the requirements of this animal. The Division of Soil Technology of the University of California characterizes the delta area as follows: it is low and flat and, for the most part, divided naturally into rather large islands surrounded by high levees which prevent them from being flooded. Most of this land is close to sea level, ranging from less than 10 feet above to 15 feet below sea level.