Many bugs resemble centipedes at first glance because of their elongated, segmented bodies and quick, crawling movements. This similarity often causes confusion among homeowners who spot them in damp basements, gardens, or bathrooms. However, not all of these creatures are related to centipedes—some are insects, larvae, or even crustaceans that simply share the same body shape.
One of the most common look-alikes is the millipede, which has a similar body but moves much slower and feeds on decaying plant matter instead of hunting prey. Other insects, like silverfish and firebrats, also share a similar shape and movement style, often darting across walls and floors in a centipede-like manner. Their shiny, flexible bodies make them appear more threatening than they are.
Certain larvae, such as those of beetles and moths, can also look like centipedes. These worm-like young stages have segmented bodies and can be seen crawling through soil, carpets, or decaying wood. Despite their resemblance, they are usually harmless and play a role in breaking down organic matter or feeding on other insects.
Some arthropods, such as earwigs and rove beetles, can also be mistaken for centipedes due to their elongated shape and quick movements. However, their behavior, fewer legs, and distinct body features—like pincers or wings—help tell them apart. Unlike centipedes, they do not possess venom or use their legs for predation.
Bugs that Look like Centipedes
Millipedes
Millipedes are often mistaken for centipedes because of their long, segmented bodies and many legs. However, millipedes have two pairs of legs per body segment, unlike centipedes, which have one. They move slowly, feed on decaying plant matter, and curl into a tight spiral when threatened instead of running away quickly.
Silverfish
Silverfish are small, wingless insects with long antennae and three tail-like appendages at the end of their bodies. Their shiny, silvery scales and wiggling movement make them look somewhat like tiny centipedes. They are harmless to humans but can damage books, wallpaper, and fabrics as they feed on starches and cellulose.
Earwigs
Earwigs have elongated, flattened bodies and a pair of pincers at the tip of their abdomen. Although they don’t have as many legs as centipedes, their shape and quick, scurrying movement often cause confusion. Earwigs are mostly nocturnal and feed on small insects and plant material.
House Crickets
House crickets have long, slender bodies and legs that give them a centipede-like appearance when moving fast. Their brownish color and tendency to hide in dark, damp spaces also make them easy to mistake for small centipedes. However, they are harmless and best known for their chirping sounds.
Bristletails
Bristletails are primitive insects closely related to silverfish. They have elongated bodies, long antennae, and three tail-like bristles, giving them a centipede-like appearance. Unlike centipedes, they lack venom and many legs, preferring to feed on organic debris in damp habitats.
Rove Beetles
Rove beetles are slender, fast-moving insects with short wing covers that leave most of their abdomen exposed. Their elongated bodies and quick movements resemble centipedes, especially when startled. These beetles are beneficial predators that feed on other insects and decaying matter.
Termite Alates
When termite alates (winged termites) shed their wings after mating, their bodies appear long and segmented, which can make them look like small centipedes. However, they are soft-bodied and lack the numerous legs and venomous claws of true centipedes. They’re often seen swarming near lights during warm evenings.
Springtails
Springtails are tiny, soil-dwelling creatures with elongated bodies and antennae. Although much smaller than centipedes, their quick, darting motion across surfaces can resemble centipede behavior. They feed on fungi and decaying plant material and play a key role in enriching soil health.
Firebrats
Firebrats are close relatives of silverfish and share their long, flattened bodies and fast, wriggling movements. They have mottled gray or brown scales that help them blend into dark corners, and they thrive in warm, humid areas like around water heaters or furnaces. Their shape and speed often cause people to mistake them for baby centipedes.
Woodlice (Pill Bugs)
Woodlice, also known as pill bugs or roly-polies, are crustaceans that live on land and have segmented, armored bodies. Though shorter and rounder than centipedes, their multiple legs and habit of crawling in damp soil or under rocks make them look similar at first glance. When disturbed, some species curl into a ball for protection, unlike centipedes which flee quickly.
Cockroach Nymphs
Young cockroaches, or nymphs, can look surprisingly similar to centipedes due to their elongated, flattened bodies and quick, darting movements. They lack wings and have long antennae, making them easy to confuse with small centipedes when scurrying across the floor. However, they have fewer legs and are part of the insect family.
Crane Fly Larvae
Crane fly larvae, sometimes called “leatherjackets,” have long, worm-like bodies that resemble legless centipedes. They are found in moist soil and feed on roots and decaying vegetation. Though they lack legs entirely, their body shape and habitat often lead people to mistake them for centipedes or similar crawling pests.
Carpet Beetle Larvae
Carpet beetle larvae are small, elongated insects covered in bristle-like hairs, which give them a centipede-like look. They move slowly and are often found in carpets, furniture, or clothing, where they feed on natural fibers. Their segmented appearance and crawling motion make them one of the more commonly misidentified bugs.
Glowworm Beetle Larvae
Glowworm beetle larvae have long, segmented bodies that resemble small centipedes, especially when seen in dim light. They live under logs or leaf litter and emit a faint glow to attract prey. Their shape and movement often lead people to confuse them with centipedes, though they are completely harmless to humans.
Soil Centipedes (Geophilomorphs)
Soil centipedes are technically centipedes, but they look so different from the common house centipede that they’re often mistaken for another type of bug. They are pale, slender, and can have over 100 tiny legs. They live underground and help decompose organic matter, playing an important role in soil health.
Beetle Larvae (Grubs)
Some beetle larvae, especially those of darkling and ground beetles, have long, segmented bodies that look a bit like centipedes. They are typically found under rocks or in decaying wood. While they move slowly and lack the many legs of centipedes, their body shape and habitat often cause confusion among casual observers.
Wireworms
Wireworms are the larvae of click beetles, known for their elongated, shiny, and hard-bodied appearance. Their cylindrical shape and brownish color make them look like small centipedes, especially when moving through soil. However, they lack multiple legs and feed mainly on plant roots rather than hunting insects.
Armyworms
Armyworms are caterpillars that move in large groups and have long, segmented bodies resembling centipedes from a distance. They crawl rapidly and can appear in huge numbers on lawns and crops. Despite their similar shape, they are soft-bodied and feed on vegetation rather than other animals.
Crane Fly Adults
Adult crane flies are long-legged insects often mistaken for giant mosquitoes or centipede-like creatures when resting. Their long, spindly legs and slender bodies create a similar silhouette. However, they are harmless and do not bite or sting, feeding only on nectar or not at all in their short adult lives.
Slender Springtails
These tiny soil-dwelling insects have narrow, elongated bodies and long antennae, making them resemble minuscule centipedes. When disturbed, they use a forked appendage to spring into the air, giving them their name. Though harmless, their movements can surprise people and lead to confusion with centipedes.
Booklice
Booklice are small, soft-bodied insects that sometimes resemble very young centipedes because of their elongated bodies and quick, skittering motion. They thrive in damp, moldy areas where they feed on fungi and organic debris. Their presence is harmless but often mistaken for an infestation of centipedes or other pests.
Flatworms
Flatworms, or planarians, have long, flat bodies that glide smoothly across moist surfaces. Though they lack legs entirely, their movement and shape can give the impression of a legless centipede. They are common in damp soil, leaf litter, and even freshwater habitats, feeding on small invertebrates.
Inchworms
Inchworms, which are the larvae of geometer moths, have a long, thin body and move with a looping motion that can remind people of centipedes. They are soft-bodied and have only a few pairs of legs, using their flexibility to climb stems and leaves. Their slow, arched crawling makes them distinct yet easily confused from afar.
Soldier Beetle Larvae
The larvae of soldier beetles have dark, elongated, and segmented bodies, resembling miniature centipedes as they crawl under bark and leaves. They are beneficial predators, feeding on aphids, caterpillars, and other pests. Though similar in shape, they lack the numerous legs and venomous claws that true centipedes possess.