Scolopendra metuenda
{{Short description|Species of centipede}}
{{Speciesbox
| taxon = Scolopendra metuenda
| authority = Pocock, 1895
}}
Scolopendra metuenda is a species of Scolopendrid centipede found on the Solomon Islands.{{Cite book |url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/81045 |title=The Annals and magazine of natural history; zoology, botany, and geology |date=1895 |publisher=Taylor and Francis, Ltd |volume=16 |location=London}}{{Cite web |title=.:CHILOBASE:. |url=https://chilobase.biologia.unipd.it/searches/result_species/1031 |access-date=2022-11-24 |website=chilobase.biologia.unipd.it}} In the exotic pet trade, it is sometimes known as the Solomon Island Centipede.{{Cite web |title=Solomon Island Centipedes (Scolopendra metueda) For Sale - Underground Reptiles |url=https://undergroundreptiles.com/product/solomon-island-centipede-2/ |access-date=2022-11-24 |website=undergroundreptiles.com |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Scolopendra Metuenda "Solomon Island Centipede by 03Arachnids - MorphMarket |url=https://www.morphmarket.com/us/c/invertebrates/centipedes/859214 |access-date=2022-11-24 |website=www.morphmarket.com |language=en}} The species was described by Reginald Innes Pocock in 1895.{{Cite web |title=ITIS - Report: Scolopendra metuenda |url=https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=1091076#null |access-date=2022-11-24 |website=www.itis.gov}} No further recorded observations have been made of the species; it is believed to be rare, although it has not yet been assessed by the IUCN.
Appearance
Scolopendra metuenda is usually greenish-brown in colour, with the brown dominating at the rear and an almost black head complemented by greener antennae and legs. The antennae are divided into 19 or 20 segments (antennomeres), the first five smooth and later ones slightly hirsute. The head is mostly smooth with some fine punctures, it is also slightly wider than long. The legs are described by Pocock as "long and slender, nearly four times the length of the head."
Scolopendra metuenda is similar to Scolopendra subspinipes, but can be distinguished from the latter by its anal legs and teeth.