Page 159 - Florida Pest Control Examinations

FLORIDA SCORPION FLORIDA SCORPION

Photo Courtesy of
Photo Courtesy of Clemson University Clemson University
www.forestryimages.org www.forestryimages.org

1.Antenna- none 6.Mesosoma- long and slender
2.Eyes- 2 7.Petiole - none FLORIDA SCORPION
3.Prosoma- small 8.Metasoma 10
4.Legs- 8, plus claws 9.Color- reddish to black 6
5.Wings- none 10.Other- stinger at caudal end

Life Cycle 8
Females give birth to live young, which are carried on the mother’s
back for 5-15 days until they go through the first of several molts. They
increase in size after each molt, eventually becoming adults after 3-4 3 4
years. Females produce an average of 32 young in their lifetime. The
female will occasionally be cannibalistic, eating her own young. This Photo Courtesy of Clemson University
type will live from 3-5 years. www.forestryimages.org

FLORIDA SCORPION Actual size 4” head to tail

All scorpions are known for their “lobster” claws (palps), long body, and tail with a stinger.
They are mostly nocturnal, and seek dark hiding places during the day. They feed on crickets,
spiders, beetles, cockroaches—just about anything crawling on the ground. They have the
ability to go up to six months without food or water. Scorpions make their homes in burrows
under rocks and trees, but in urban areas live in woodpiles, garages, cellars, etc. Adults
range in size from a little over one inch to just under five inches in the many varied species.
Scorpions can inflict a painful sting, however the two Florida types are not lethal. The Florida
Scorpion sting is comparable to that of a wasp.

1.Antenna- none 6.Mesosoma- long and slender FLORIDA BARK SCORPION
2.Eyes- 2 7.Petiole- none
3.Prosoma- small 8.Metasoma 10
4.Legs- 8, plus claws 9.Color- brown
5.Wings- none 10.Other- identifying characteristic 6
notch underneath stinger
Life Cycle 8
Females give birth to live young, which are carried on the mother’s back 3
for 5-15 days until they go through the first of several molts. They increase
in size after each molt, eventually becoming adults after 3-4 years. 4
Females produce an average of 32 young in their lifetime. The Florida
Bark Scorpion is not cannibalistic, and adults will live from 6-8 years. Photo Courtesy of Clemson University
www.forestryimages.org
FLORIDA BARK SCORPION Actual Size 2” head to tail

The Florida Bark Scorpion is also known as the Slenderbrown Scorpion. It is typically found
under bark, stones, and wood debris. They will make their way indoors at times, and seem to
prefer hot locations. It can inflict a very painful sting, worse than that of the Florida Scorpion.

159