✵This article documents the herb Centipede, including its English name, Latin name, Pinyin name, properties and flavor, and its source as defined in classical herbal works—namely, (1) Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans L. Koch and (2) Scolopendra subspinipes mutidens (Newport)—along with a detailed description of the morphological characteristics, growth habits, and ecological environments of these two species; the macroscopic features of the processed herb; its pharmacological actions; medicinal efficacy; and administration guidelines.
Scolopendra (Centipede)
Pinyin Name: Wú Gōnɡ
English Name: Centipede
Latin Name:Scolopendra Properties and Flavor: Warm, pungent, toxic
Brief Introduction:Scolopendra is the dried whole body of Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans L. Koch. It is used (1) to extinguish internal wind and arrest spasms—indicated for tic disorders, convulsions, tetanus, and facial paralysis; (2) to unblock the collaterals and alleviate pain—in cases of stubborn arthralgia and intractable migraine; and (3) as a detoxicant—for scrofula and venomous snakebite. It is commonly known as Scolopendra, centipede, or Wú Gōnɡ.
Source: Classical herbal works define Scolopendra (Centipede) as the dried whole body of Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans L. Koch. Other authoritative herbal classics also accept either (1) Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans L. Koch or (2) Scolopendra subspinipes mutidens (Newport) as legitimate sources. Both are arthropods belonging to the genus Scolopendra, family Scolopendridae, order Scolopendromorpha. The two commonly used species are described below:
(1) Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans L. Koch
Arthropod Description: Commonly known as Shǎo Jí Wú Gōnɡ (“Centipede with Fewer Spines”), the adult measures 110–140 mm in length. The cephalic plate and first tergite are golden yellow; from the second tergite onward, color varies from atrovirens (green-black) to sap green (dark green); the terminal tergite is sometimes nearly yellowish-brown. The sternum and ambulatory legs (pleopods) are pale yellow. Two inconspicuous longitudinal grooves run along the tergites from the 4th to the 9th somites. Vertical grooves occur on the sternum between the 2nd and 19th somites. Spiracles are present bilaterally on the 3rd, 5th, 8th, 10th, 12th, 14th, 16th, 18th, and 20th somites (arthromeres). Four stemmata occur on each side of the anterior portion of the cephalic plate, aggregated into left and right eye groups. Venom glands (maxillary glands) reside within the forcipules (modified first pair of legs). The anterior margin of the toothed plate bears five denticles; the inner three denticles are closely spaced. There are 21 pairs of ambulatory legs; the terminal pair is the longest and caudiform, extending posteriorly. The coxopleuron bears two clavulae. On the ventral surface of the anterior leg, there are two spines externally and one spine internally; on the dorsal surface of the posterior leg, there is one spine and one “corner spine” (coign prickle). Two clavulae occur at the apex of each coign prickle.
Life Habits: Centipedes inhabit damp, dark microhabitats—especially under decaying wood, in rock crevices, and among wet grasses. They are photophobic and nocturnal, preying on insects and other small animals. In October, as temperatures drop, they burrow deeply into soil. Following the Awakening of Insects (a traditional Chinese solar term occurring around March 5–7), warming weather prompts emergence from burrows to forage. Reproduction occurs from spring to summer. Females coil their bodies around egg masses to incubate and protect hatchlings. At night, they prey upon crickets, grasshoppers, chafers, and moths—and may also subdue small vertebrates (e.g., sparrows, lizards, snakes) using venomous forcipules. Cannibalism occurs. Generally, after October, they retreat into soil at depths of 10–13 cm to overwinter. The following year, post–Awakening of Insects, they re-emerge to feed.
Centipedes lay 15–35 eggs between spring and summer. Eggs are oval, measuring 3–3.5 mm in length. Females exhibit brooding behavior—curling around egg masses to incubate and safeguard larvae. Larvae and adults possess the same number of pleopods. Both sexes display heteromorphic telsons.
Feeding Practices: Water is essential for the survival of centipedes with fewer spines, and they must drink every two to three days. Providing water is as simple as placing a single drop in the small indentations of a ceramic tile; centipedes will quickly lean over and suck it up voraciously. Occasionally, a juicy piece of pear pulp can serve the same purpose. Provided that water is available, centipedes with fewer spines can survive at least one week without food. Their diet consists primarily of other arthropods: succulent earthworms, larger ants, locusts, and cicadas are preferred—occasionally even small frogs. Their formidable forcipules are highly effective hunting tools. Once prey is targeted, escape is nearly impossible due to the centipede’s precise, rapid, and ruthless strike. The majestic moniliform antennae appear crucial to survival. After nearly every meal, the centipede lowers each antenna in turn to the side of its mouthparts for meticulous cleaning. These antennae bear highly developed sensory organs; if contaminated, their ability to perceive the external environment would be severely impaired—especially since centipedes possess only a single pair of eyes and have extremely limited vision.
Centipedes remain in a state of heightened alertness at night and, upon detecting stimuli, immediately contract their bodies into a slight S-shape before launching a rapid attack. When encountering small prey—such as ants, earthworms, or spiders—the prey is typically seized by the venomous forcipules before it can react, as if it had never touched the bottom of the enclosure. The prey shows no resistance—like a treasure unexpectedly discovered by a greedy passerby, only to be instantly seized and doomed. This immobilization phase usually lasts several minutes, apparently allowing full envenomation before feeding commences. Centipedes use their forcipules to pierce and open the exoskeleton of prey, then curl their mouthparts and labial palps inward to consume the soft internal tissues—leaving behind only an empty exoskeleton.
Ecological Environment: Centipedes prefer damp, dark habitats—commonly under decaying wood, within rock crevices, or among wet grasses. They inhabit hilly and sandy low-mountain regions and favor warm microclimates. Their diet consists of small insects and their eggs.
Characteristics of the Herb: The herb is flattened and elongated, measuring 9–15 cm in length and 0.5–1 cm in width. It comprises a head and body totaling 22 somites. The head is dull red (darkish red) or russet (reddish-brown), slightly glossy, and covered by an orbicular (subrounded) cephalic plate with a slightly protruding anterior margin; a pair of forcipules is attached bilaterally. A pair of antennae arises from the anterolateral margins of the cephalic plate. The first tergite matches the cephalic plate in color; the remaining 20 tergites are brownish-green or atrovirens (green-black), with a lustrous surface. From the 4th to the 20th tergite, two inconspicuous longitudinal grooves are commonly present. The sternum and ventral surface are pale yellow or brownish-yellow and somewhat shriveled. Starting from the 2nd somite, one pair of ambulatory legs (pleopods) extends bilaterally from each somite. The legs are yellow or russet—occasionally bicolored (yellow and white)—and hook-shaped. The terminal pair of ambulatory legs is caudiform and thus also termed caudal legs; they detach readily. The herb has a brittle texture, with radial cracks on the fracture surface. It emits a faintly fishy odor combined with a distinctive pungent-acrid smell and tastes pungent with a slight saltiness.
(2) Scolopendra subspinipes mutidens (Newport).
Arthropod Description: Commonly known as Duō Jí Wú Gōnɡ (“Centipede with Many Spines”), Scolopendra subspinipes mutidens (Newport) is the second-largest medicinal centipede species in China. Adults reach up to 160 mm in length. The antennae comprise 18 segments; the basal six are smooth and glabrous. Denticle count is 6+6. A complete parallel longitudinal suture runs across the 2nd through 20th tergites. Most tergites lack lateral margins; however, the 14th (or 15th or 16th) through 20th tergites possess incomplete margins. Incomplete parallel longitudinal sutures occur on the 2nd through 19th tergites. The protuberant apices of the coxopleura bear three clavulae; dorsal and lateral spines are absent. Tarsi are absent on the 20th and 21st ambulatory legs (pleopods). At the tip of the terminal ambulatory leg (pleopod), the ventral surface of the anterior leg bears two clavulae externally and two internally; two clavulae occur internally on the tergite; and three clavulae crown the apex of the corner spine (coign prickle). Adult males lack a genital operculum on either side of the pregenital segment.
Ecological Environment: Most of the arthropods live in hillside fields along the road, rocky areas near the village, roadside rocks, weeds, deadwood in wells, woodpiles, gaps between roof tiles, and beside the tank or cupboard in the kitchen. They emerge to feed at night. Their diet includes insects, eggs, and meat.
Differences from Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans L. Koch: The morphology of Scolopendra subspinipes mutidens (Newport) is broadly similar to that of Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans L. Koch; however, the main differences are that the former is larger in size, possesses a greater number of spines on the inner surface of the prefemur of the caudal leg, a greater number of spines on the outer surface of the ventral side, and a greater number of spines on the inner surface of the ventral side—compared with Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans L. Koch—as well as a higher number of teeth on the dental plate of the maxilliped.
Characteristics of the Herb: The herb prepared from Scolopendra subspinipes mutidens (Newport) is slightly larger than the dried herb prepared from Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans L. Koch and bears numerous spines (prickles).
Pharmacological Actions: (1) antitumor; (2) antispasmodic; (3) inhibition of dermatophytes; (4) enhancement of immune function.
Medicinal Efficacy: Calms endogenous wind, relieves spasms, arrests convulsions, unblocks collaterals, alleviates pain, detoxifies, and resolves stasis. It is indicated for liver-wind agitation (endogenous liver wind), spasm and convulsion, infantile convulsion, apoplexy, apoplexy with facial paralysis, hemiplegia, fright-induced epilepsy, epilepsy, tetanus (lockjaw), pertussis (whooping cough), rheumatism and stubborn arthralgia, migraine (migraine headache), generalized headache, sores and ulcers, scrofula (lymph node tuberculosis), phymatiasis (tuberculous lymphadenitis), abdominal masses and tumor nodules, pyogenic infections, corporal tinea, tinea tonsurans, anal fistula, scalds or burns, snakebite, and venomous snakebite.
Administration of Scolopendra (Wú Gōnɡ):
Reference:
Administration Guide of Scolopendra (Wú Gōnɡ)
TCM Books:
(1) Internally: 3–5 grams; (2) Internally: water decoction, 0.5–1.5 qian (≈1.5–4.5 grams), or prepared as pills or powder; topical application: finely ground herb powder applied externally; (3) Internally: water decoction, 2–5 grams; finely ground herb powder, 0.5–1 grams; or prepared as pills or powder; topical application: appropriate amount of finely ground herb powder sprinkled or applied as a paste, infused in oil, or applied topically.
Contraindications, Precautions, and Adverse Reactions: Scolopendra is toxic and must not be administered in excessive doses. It is contraindicated during pregnancy. Scolopendra should not be combined with spider, chicken droppings, Cortex Mori (Morus alba bark), or white salt.
✵This article documents the herb Centipede, including its English name, Latin name, Pinyin name, properties and flavor, and its source as defined in classical herbal works—namely, (1) Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans L. Koch and (2) Scolopendra subspinipes mutidens (Newport)—along with a detailed description of the morphological characteristics, growth habits, and ecological environments of these two species; the macroscopic features of the processed herb; its pharmacological actions; medicinal efficacy; and administration guidelines.
Pinyin Name: Wú Gōnɡ
Arthropod Description: Commonly known as Shǎo Jí Wú Gōnɡ (“Centipede with Fewer Spines”), the adult measures 110–140 mm in length. The cephalic plate and first tergite are golden yellow; from the second tergite onward, color varies from atrovirens (green-black) to sap green (dark green); the terminal tergite is sometimes nearly yellowish-brown. The sternum and ambulatory legs (pleopods) are pale yellow. Two inconspicuous longitudinal grooves run along the tergites from the 4th to the 9th somites. Vertical grooves occur on the sternum between the 2nd and 19th somites. Spiracles are present bilaterally on the 3rd, 5th, 8th, 10th, 12th, 14th, 16th, 18th, and 20th somites (arthromeres). Four stemmata occur on each side of the anterior portion of the cephalic plate, aggregated into left and right eye groups. Venom glands (maxillary glands) reside within the forcipules (modified first pair of legs). The anterior margin of the toothed plate bears five denticles; the inner three denticles are closely spaced. There are 21 pairs of ambulatory legs; the terminal pair is the longest and caudiform, extending posteriorly. The coxopleuron bears two clavulae. On the ventral surface of the anterior leg, there are two spines externally and one spine internally; on the dorsal surface of the posterior leg, there is one spine and one “corner spine” (coign prickle). Two clavulae occur at the apex of each coign prickle.
Life Habits: Centipedes inhabit damp, dark microhabitats—especially under decaying wood, in rock crevices, and among wet grasses. They are photophobic and nocturnal, preying on insects and other small animals. In October, as temperatures drop, they burrow deeply into soil. Following the Awakening of Insects (a traditional Chinese solar term occurring around March 5–7), warming weather prompts emergence from burrows to forage. Reproduction occurs from spring to summer. Females coil their bodies around egg masses to incubate and protect hatchlings. At night, they prey upon crickets, grasshoppers, chafers, and moths—and may also subdue small vertebrates (e.g., sparrows, lizards, snakes) using venomous forcipules. Cannibalism occurs. Generally, after October, they retreat into soil at depths of 10–13 cm to overwinter. The following year, post–Awakening of Insects, they re-emerge to feed.
Feeding Practices: Water is essential for the survival of centipedes with fewer spines, and they must drink every two to three days. Providing water is as simple as placing a single drop in the small indentations of a ceramic tile; centipedes will quickly lean over and suck it up voraciously. Occasionally, a juicy piece of pear pulp can serve the same purpose. Provided that water is available, centipedes with fewer spines can survive at least one week without food. Their diet consists primarily of other arthropods: succulent earthworms, larger ants, locusts, and cicadas are preferred—occasionally even small frogs. Their formidable forcipules are highly effective hunting tools. Once prey is targeted, escape is nearly impossible due to the centipede’s precise, rapid, and ruthless strike. The majestic moniliform antennae appear crucial to survival. After nearly every meal, the centipede lowers each antenna in turn to the side of its mouthparts for meticulous cleaning. These antennae bear highly developed sensory organs; if contaminated, their ability to perceive the external environment would be severely impaired—especially since centipedes possess only a single pair of eyes and have extremely limited vision.
Ecological Environment: Centipedes prefer damp, dark habitats—commonly under decaying wood, within rock crevices, or among wet grasses. They inhabit hilly and sandy low-mountain regions and favor warm microclimates. Their diet consists of small insects and their eggs.
Arthropod Description: Commonly known as Duō Jí Wú Gōnɡ (“Centipede with Many Spines”), Scolopendra subspinipes mutidens (Newport) is the second-largest medicinal centipede species in China. Adults reach up to 160 mm in length. The antennae comprise 18 segments; the basal six are smooth and glabrous. Denticle count is 6+6. A complete parallel longitudinal suture runs across the 2nd through 20th tergites. Most tergites lack lateral margins; however, the 14th (or 15th or 16th) through 20th tergites possess incomplete margins. Incomplete parallel longitudinal sutures occur on the 2nd through 19th tergites. The protuberant apices of the coxopleura bear three clavulae; dorsal and lateral spines are absent. Tarsi are absent on the 20th and 21st ambulatory legs (pleopods). At the tip of the terminal ambulatory leg (pleopod), the ventral surface of the anterior leg bears two clavulae externally and two internally; two clavulae occur internally on the tergite; and three clavulae crown the apex of the corner spine (coign prickle). Adult males lack a genital operculum on either side of the pregenital segment.
Ecological Environment: Most of the arthropods live in hillside fields along the road, rocky areas near the village, roadside rocks, weeds, deadwood in wells, woodpiles, gaps between roof tiles, and beside the tank or cupboard in the kitchen. They emerge to feed at night. Their diet includes insects, eggs, and meat.
Characteristics of the Herb: The herb prepared from Scolopendra subspinipes mutidens (Newport) is slightly larger than the dried herb prepared from Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans L. Koch and bears numerous spines (prickles).
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