Uninvited Venomous Guests

[nab856]

This was found at work recently!

The bottom of the beaker is about 2 inches in diameter. Not sure on the species. It isn't a Bark scorpion. Caused quite a bit of excitement amongst my coworkers! Keep an eye out.

 

[juane]

Where's your work?

 

[nab856]

Albuquerque area. I was hoping a bug enthusiast would be able to give insight into the scorpion's identity. Apparently, scorpions glow green/fluoresce when exposed to ultraviolet light. I think I need to keep a battery powered portable black light handy.

 

[Montijo505]

This was found at work recently!
View attachment 3981715
The bottom of the beaker is about 2 inches in diameter. Not sure on the species. It isn't a Bark scorpion. Caused quite a bit of excitement amongst my coworkers! Keep an eye out.

Stripetailed or devil scorpion. Pretty big one at that.

 

[mesa man]

I’ve been stung by those type of scorpions at least four times now out on my land and in my house, it feels like minor electric shock while being poked by a Cholla cactus at the same time.

They are usually found in pairs from my experience.

 

[nab856]

I’ve been stung by those type of scorpions at least four times now out on my land and in my house, it feels like minor electric shock while being poked by a Cholla cactus at the same time.

They are usually found in pairs from my experience.

I will keep a look out. Getting surprised by invertebrates is not my idea of a good time!

 

[HighDesert Dawg]

Wow...a good sized one! We used to see those frequently when lived up on the west mesa side of town, but haven't seen any for years living down in the north valley.

 

[Mauser]

That's a big one. Throw it a cricket, its cool to watch them eat. If you like spiders go down south when the tarantulas are moving. Sometimes it looks like a moving carpet. The big brown tarantulas should start moving around here pretty soon. I see a few every year.

 

[nab856]

Unfortunately, this scorpion had an "accidental" close encounter with a coworker's shoe. I would have collected it, put it outside, and let it eat all the insects it wanted.

 

[nab856]

I plan to take a portable blacklight/flashlight with me on camping trips to avoid being surprised by a scorpion. I did some online research on the Bark scorpion and found a sting at Caballo Lake State Park: Determining the Clinical Importance of an Unknown Species of Scorpion (Centruroides) Collected in New Mexico - https://repository.arizona.edu/handle/10150/623753?show=full
A little more research showed the cost of ICU stays, antivenom, and helicopter rides would make for a very unpleasant hospital bill.

 

[pappy]

A couple of thoughts here.

1. Bark scorpions are very small. If it's a large scorpion it's not a ball scorpion. Still getting stung by either is still a bad idea.

2. Black lights. I wouldn't do it. Unless you never want to go camping again. Or, you are willing to accept they are out there in numbers you never imagined. I used to camp with a group of biologists, and the black light was SOP for educational purposes.

 

[nab856]

A couple of thoughts here.

1. Bark scorpions are very small. If it's a large scorpion it's not a ball scorpion. Still getting stung by either is still a bad idea.

2. Black lights. I wouldn't do it. Unless you never want to go camping again. Or, you are willing to accept they are out there in numbers you never imagined. I used to camp with a group of biologists, and the black light was SOP for educational purposes.

I found an adult female Black Widow spider in a shoe I was about to put on. Fortunately, I checked the shoe. This has not deterred my interest in outdoor activities. From personal experience, preventative measures are appealing! Taking a few minutes to check clothing and sleeping bags is a good idea. I also do not want to bring stowaways home in my vehicle. A black light would be handy for finding these scorpions.