SYMPHYLAN

also called Symphylid, any member of the arthropod class Symphyla, commonly grouped with several other classes as myriapods. The approximately 120 species resemble small centipedes; the largest are less than 10 millimetres (0.4 inch) long. The antennae are long and many-jointed. The soft, white body is divided into 14 segments, 12 of which bear pairs of hooklike legs. All of the legs on one side move simultaneously, alternating with those on the opposite side, thus producing a twisting, turning motion. Symphylans occur worldwide, chiefly in the tropics. They live in and eat decaying plant matter; some feed on dead insects and the tender parts of living plants. The so-called garden centipede (Scutigerella immaculata) of North America, Europe, and Hawaii damages beets, celery, lettuce, and other crops. Scolopendrella is common in North America.