Scutigeromorpha

Scutigeromorpha [skü‚tij·ə·rə′mȯr·fə]

(invertebrate zoology)

The single order of notostigmophorous centipedes; members are distinguished by a dorsal respiratory opening, compound-type eyes, long flagellate multisegmental antennae, and long thin legs with multisegmental tarsi.

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Scutigeromorpha 

an order of arthropods of the class Chilopoda. The body length of the Scutigeromorpha is 2–3 cm, and the head has long antennae and lateral clusters of ocelli. The long legs, of which there are 15 pairs, have multisegmented tarsi that ensure rapid locomotion. The Scutigeromorpha are equipped with seven spiracles—openings in the body wall that lead into the tracheal sacs; bundles of tracheal tubes extend from these sacs throughout the body.

The Scutigeromorpha hide during the day and emerge at twilight, scurrying along walls to hunt flies and other insects. They are distributed throughout the Mediterranean region; in the USSR, Scutigera coleoptrata is found in the Crimea, in the Caucasus, and in Middle Asia.