Black caterpillars

sanseverino Image
09/08/2011 - 06:28

When we opened up our house at the beginning of August we found a number of rather unsavoury looking large caterpillars with black leathery backs and which had a habit of curling up and hiding under curtains.No idea how they got in but does anyone have any idea what they might be?

Comment

I think you've got centipedes (millepiedi in Italian). Harmless unless you suffer from bee-sting allergies and then you'll need to seek medical advice if bitten (although I understand this is quite a rare phenomenon). They are just a little disconcerting though but I think that, once the house is full of people again, they will depart for pastures new - they dislike hustle and bustle and like dark damp areas so just open the curtains and fling open the windows.