Geophilus insculptus was once considered a species of soil centipede in the family Geophilidae found across temperate Europe, especially Britain and Ireland. The name G. insculptus was deemed to be a junior synonym of G. alpinus, which in turn was deemed to be a junior synonym of G. impressus.

Etymology

The name comes from Latin 'insculptus', meaning 'engraved'.

Biology

Geophilus insculptus is a long (up to 40 mm (1.6 in)) earth centipede or wire worm and is pale yellow in colour with a darker head. It has between 45 and 53 pairs of legs. In the upper layer of the soil, under stones etc. Widespread and fairly frequent in Britain.