Stone centipede

The stone centipede (Lithobius) is a genus of predatory arthropods within the class Chilopoda and the family Lithobiidae. While these organisms are generally considered beneficial as they hunt other pests, in specific agricultural environments such as greenhouses or moist seedbeds, they can turn into opportunistic pests, damaging young, succulent plant tissues.

The biology of the Lithobius genus is defined by a high dependency on humidity and dark, organic-rich environments. They develop through several stages from eggs to nymphs, with adults living for multiple years. This longevity, combined with their ability to hide deep in soil cracks, makes them resilient to fluctuating environmental conditions.

They cause damage to various crops, particularly seedlings and young transplants. Pest damage manifests as irregular feeding marks on the roots and lower stems. By breaking the plant epidermis, these centipedes provide an entry point for various soil-borne pathogens, leading to secondary diseases that often cause more damage than the initial feeding activity.

The economic impact is primarily observed in high-humidity cultivation systems. If left unchecked, the population can reach densities high enough to cause significant losses in seedling nurseries. Plants suffering from such attacks exhibit symptoms of wilting, stunted development, or failure to establish, which impacts overall farm productivity and uniformity.

Effective management and control measures should be integrated into the standard horticultural practice:

• Managing soil moisture levels to ensure the substrate does not remain constantly saturated.
• Removal of plant debris and mulch near the base of young plants to reduce nesting sites.
• Regular cultivation and aeration of the topsoil to disrupt their micro-habitats.
• Targeted application of soil-active insecticides registered for the specific crop if biological controls are insufficient.