Forest Pests: Insects, Diseases & Other Damage Agents

Centipedes and Leeches Hazards of the Outdoors Written by Terry Price, Georgia Forestry Commission Adapted for the web by the Bugwood Network

Centipedes are not insects. They are multi-segmented elongated arthropods with a distinct head and one pair of legs per segment. Most species are harmless, however, the large centipede Scolopendra viridis, can inflict a painful pinch with its two poison claws located underneath the head (Figure 46).

Figure 46 - Centipede Photo by Georgia Forestry Commission Archives

Centipedes are active at night when they prey on insects and other arthropods. They nest outdoors under stones, boards, bark and other moist protected places.

Bites from the large centipede are rare. The pain associated with the bite from S. viridis can be intense, lasting for several hours.

Leeches are members of a group of segmented worms that live in fresh water ponds, marshes, lakes and streams. About 44 species occur in the U.S. Collectively, leeches are called bloodsuckers; however, most species feed as scavengers or predators and only a few actually take blood from animals and humans (Figure 47).

Figure 47 - A fresh water leech feeding between toes Photo by William K. Fitt

Leeches prefer shallow water and waders are more likely to become infested than swimmers. One rare undocumented encounter with leeches occurred in central Georgia in 1993. A young man was walking across a recently drained lake bed and became infested with many black inchworm looking creatures. The “worms” attached to his lower legs through the socks and bit like chiggers.

Leeches are not a medical concern but people working or recreating in aquatic habitats may encounter leeches occasionally.