Examples of insects with lots of legs include bedbugs, crane flies, harvestmen, house centipedes, and millipedes.
Most people are familiar with the 6-legged insects, such as ants, beetles, and grasshoppers. However, there are actually a number of insects that have more than 6 legs.
For example, some species of millipedes can have up to 750 legs, while centipedes typically have between 15 and 177 legs. In addition, some insects go through a process called “leg loss” in which they shed their legs in order to escape predators or fit into small spaces.
Although it may seem like these insects are at a disadvantage, they are actually quite adaptable and can still thrive in their environment.
These are just some of the insects with lots of legs, let’s take a look at the rest.
Examples of Insects with Lots of Legs
1. Bedbug
| Scientific Name | Cimex lectularius |
| Type of Animal | Insect |
| Range | Worldwide |
Bedbugs are small, reddish-brown insects that feed on the blood of humans and animals. They are often found in mattresses, furniture, and other places where people sleep or rest.
While they typically only live for about 10 months, bedbugs can survive for up to a year without feeding.
2. Crane Fly
| Scientific Name | Tipulidae |
| Type of Animal | Insect |
| Range | Worldwide |
These large insects have long legs and a thin body, and can often be seen near wetlands or in meadows. They actually have 6 legs, but the 2 front legs are much shorter than the 4 back legs.
One distinguishing feature of the crane fly is its extremely long legs in proportion to its body. In fact, its legs may be up to six times the length of its body. The larvae of crane flies are commonly called leatherjackets and are destructive pests of turfgrass and other crops.
Adult crane flies do not bite or sting and are considered harmless to humans. However, their larvae can cause damage to plant roots and other underground structures.
Related Article: 13 Insects that Look Like Leaves
3. Harvestmen
| Scientific Name | Opiliones |
| Type of Animal | Insect |
| Range | Worldwide |
Harvestmen are arachnids, but they are not spiders. They have 2 eyes and their bodies are divided into 2 sections. They have 8 legs, but the 2 front legs are much longer than the others.
Harvestmen are different from spiders in several ways. One big difference is that harvestmen do not have venom glands or fangs. Another difference is that most spiders can make silk, but harvestmen cannot. Finally, most spiders have 2 body sections (cephalothorax and abdomen), while harvestmen have only 1 body section.
4. House Centipede
| Scientific Name | Scutigera coleoptrata |
| Type of Animal | Insect |
| Range | Worldwide |
The house centipede has 15 pairs of legs, for a total of 30 legs. These legs are very long in proportion to the rest of its body, and they enable the centipede to run very quickly.
The house centipede is also equipped with poison claws, which it uses to kill its prey. The house centipede preys on a variety of small insects and arthropods, including flies, ants, moths, and cockroaches.
The house centipede is a common sight in many homes, especially in the fall and winter months when the insects it preys upon are seeking shelter from the cold. Although it may be alarming to see a centipede scurrying across your floor, this creature is actually beneficial to have around, as it helps to control the population of other pests.
5. Millipede
| Scientific Name | Diplopoda |
| Type of Animal | Insect |
| Range | Worldwide |
Millipedes are arthropods that have a long, segmented body with two pairs of legs on each segment. They are usually black or brown in color and can range in size from a few millimeters to over 30 centimeters long. Millipedes are found in damp environments such as forests and gardens.
6. Mites
| Scientific Name | Acari |
| Type of Animal | Insect |
| Range | Worldwide |
Mites are tiny, spider-like creatures that typically have 8 legs. However, some mites can have up to 12 legs. Mites are often found in homes, where they can feed on dust and other small particles.
7. Pillbugs
| Scientific Name | Armadillidiidae |
| Type of Animal | Insect |
| Range | Worldwide |
These little creatures are actually crustaceans, related to shrimp and crabs. They have 7 pairs of legs, and their bodies are covered in a hard shell.
8. Scorpion
| Scientific Name | Scorpiones |
| Type of Animal | Insect |
| Range | Worldwide |
The scorpion is a venomous arachnid that has 8 legs. Scorpions are predators that typically eat insects, but they can also eat lizards and small mammals.
9. Silverfish
| Scientific Name | Lepisma saccharina |
| Type of Animal | Insect |
| Range | Worldwide |
These insects get their name from their silvery-grey color and fish-like appearance. They are nocturnal creatures that like to hide in dark, damp places. Silverfish are harmless to humans but can be a nuisance because they like to eat paper and fabric.
10. Slender Assassin Bug
| Scientific Name | Narvesus carolinensis |
| Type of Animal | Insect |
| Range | Worldwide |
This bug gets its name from its long and thin body shape. It has a total of 8 legs, with the front 2 pair being much shorter than the back 2 pairs.
11. Sowbug
| Scientific Name | Oniscidea |
| Type of Animal | Insect |
| Range | Worldwide |
Sowbugs are small, dark-colored insects that are often found in damp places. They have 2 pairs of legs on their upper body and 3 pairs of legs on their lower body. This gives them a total of 7 pairs of legs.
12. Spiders
| Scientific Name | Araneae |
| Type of Animal | Insect |
| Range | Worldwide |
All spiders have 8 legs. In fact, the name “spider” comes from the Latin word for “8-legged creature.” Spiders are not insects, but they are arachnids, which is a separate category of arthropods.
13. Ticks
| Scientific Name | Ixodida |
| Type of Animal | Insect |
| Range | Worldwide |
Ticks are 8-legged arachnids that are known for their parasitic nature. Ticks attach themselves to the skin of their host and feed on their blood.
14. Woodlouse
| Scientific Name | Oniscidea |
| Type of Animal | Insect |
| Range | Worldwide |
A woodlouse is a small, terrestrial crustacean that is commonly found in damp environments. Woodlice are not insects, but they are often mistaken for them due to their similar appearance. Woodlice have 14 legs and 2 pairs of antennae.
Conclusion
Centipedes and millipedes are two types of arthropods that have a lot of legs. Centipedes have one pair of legs per body segment, while millipedes have two pairs. Both centipedes and millipedes are predators that feed on smaller insects, snails, and other invertebrates. They use their many legs to move quickly and capture their prey. Although they may look similar, there are some important differences between centipedes and millipedes.
Hi, I’m Garreth. Living in South Africa I’ve had the pleasure of seeing most of these animals up close and personal. When I was younger I always wanted to be a game ranger but unfortunately, life happens and now at least I get to write about them and tell you my experiences.