'House demon' insect spotted creeping around the home leaves resident terrified

31 August 2023 , 15:13

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A terrifying insect has caused panic on Reddit after a user of the platform shared an image of it from the home (Image: Reddit)

The appearance of a "terrifying" bug has sparked panic on social media after a snap of the monstrosity was shared by a Reddit user. Australia is well known for its variety of deadly creatures and insects, but one that entered a home down under on Wednesday (August 30) resulted in both fear and confusion.

The image in question shows an elongated dark insect - almost a cross between a large spider and a centipede - with dozens of creepy long legs. It prompted the home owner to ask if "anyone had encountered these before".

After attracting a lot of attention online in which others declared it "nightmare material" and a "house demon", the Australian Museum thankfully later confirmed it is in fact a house centipede — a native species in the country, that can have up to a staggering 191 legs.

Museum expert Ciaran Mathewson explained: "Their bodies are separated into many small segments, each segment having a single pair of legs [millipedes have two pairs of legs per body segment]."

Arthropods, as they are known, can be found across Australia indoors, and in urban areas and forests. And reassuring users, Mr Matthewson explained. "They have modified their front legs into venom-filled appendages called forcipules. However, it is not common at all to be stung.

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Users labelled the beast as "nightmare material" and a "house demon" (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

He continued: "Their forcipules are not very strong, making it hard for them to pierce our skin", before advising that its sting would cause similar pain and redness to that a of a bee.

And surprisingly he said spotting one in the home would actually be a good thing. "They feed on insects which we consider pests, such as silverfish, bed bugs, termites and cockroaches. They are nocturnal hunters and will chase their prey, moving at very fast speeds of up to 10 body lengths per second."

Despite his reassurances, however, more users on the platform looked on in horror. "What in the depths of hell is that?" one asked. Another declared: "Those little fellas are fast. And I mean real fast," whilst a third wrote: "Holy s**t that thing is terrifying. I assume you are just burning the house down."

Alan Johnson