   Scorpions - December 16, 2009 Jeff Schalau, Associate Agent, Agriculture & Natural Resources University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, Yavapai County Scorpions have long been of interest to humans primarily because of their ability to give painful and sometimes life-threatening stings. Fossil scorpions found in Paleozoic strata 430 million years old appear very similar to present day species. Scorpions are still extremely abundant in Arizona and one or more species can be found in virtually every habitat from mountaintops to desert floors. Of the 1,400 scorpion species found in worldwide, 30 of these occur in Arizona. Of these Arizona species, only the bark scorpion (Centruriodes sculpturatus) is considered life-threatening. In our area, bark scorpions can be found in wooded areas, wood piles, sheds and other aboveground protected locations. It is a climbing species that never burrows. Other Arizona scorpions also sting and can cause serious health problems such as anaphylactic shock in sensitive individuals. All scorpions spend the light hours under cover or in burrows. At night, they emerge within their individual defended territories and wait to ambush prey. Their diets consist of insects, spiders, centipedes, and occasionally small reptiles and young rodents. They capture their prey with their pincers and kill or paralyze it with a sting, which is thrust over the back. Scorpions are only active when nighttime low temperatures exceed about 77 degrees F. Scorpions have an elaborate courtship ritual which involves "dancing" back and forth. Mating is done after the male deposits a spermatophore (sperm package) on the ground, positions the female scorpion over the package, and she picks it up and fertilizes her eggs. Scorpion babies are live born and the female carries the young on her back until they have gone through their first molt after which the young scatter to establish their own territories. They reach maturity in about one year and can live for several years. Scorpions are food sources for several animals such as grasshopper mice, rodents, birds, and reptiles. Before you kill a scorpion, remember that scorpions are an important part of local ecosystems and should be appreciated by all - from a safe distance of course. They usually live outdoors, but can become a pest in some situations. For instance, if there is a cockroach infestation, scorpions may become more common because they have a ready food source. To protect yourself from an inadvertent scorpion sting, one should remove loose boards, woodpiles, rocks, and debris from areas immediately adjacent to the home. Wear leather gloves when moving object in yards and campsites. When camping, shake out sleeping bags, clothes, shoes, and other items that have been in contact with the ground. Always wear shoes when walking at night – indoors and out. Teach children to recognize and respect scorpions. Scorpions rarely enter houses. However, they can become household pests in newly developed areas (less than three years old). This is attributable to the disruption of habitat. Homes near rivers and arroyos can also experience an influx of scorpions during summer monsoons as they may have been washed downstream. To patrol for scorpions, you may want to purchase a portable black (UV) light. Scorpions fluoresce under a black light and can easily be located from a distance of several yards. Some people and some pest management companies use black lights to locate them, pick them up with a pair of kitchen tongs, place them in a well-sealed jar, and relocate them to undisturbed natural areas. Warning: never look directly at an ultraviolet light as it can damage the eyes. Insecticides are ineffective and should not be used to control or prevent scorpions. The best management is to seal your home, clean up the area, and discourage insects and other prey. Respect scorpions and take appropriate precautions and you will minimize your chances of being stung. There are also several other arthropods that resemble scorpions. These include pseudoscorpions, solpugids, whipscorpions (also called vinegaroons), and tailless whipscorpions. If stung by a scorpion (or concerned about any other poisonous organism), contact the Arizona Poison Control and Drug Information Center at 1-800-222-1222. This free, confidential service is available 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. The University of Arizona Cooperative Extension has publications and information on gardening and pest control. If you have other gardening questions, call the Master Gardener line in the Cottonwood office at 646-9113 ext. 14 or E-mail us at cottonwoodmg@yahoo.com and be sure to include your address and phone number. Find past Backyard Gardener columns or submit column ideas at the Backyard Gardener web site: http://cals.arizona.edu/yavapai/anr/hort/byg/. |