Bug Identifier
Arizona Bark Scorpion
Community identification

Arizona Bark Scorpion

Centruroides sculpturatus

Order & Family
Order Scorpiones, Family Buthidae
Size
2.75 to 3.15 inches (7 to 8 cm)
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Arid and semi-arid regions, commonly found under rocks, logs, and in tree bark; often enters residential areas in the Southwest US and Northern Mexico.

Diet & Feeding

Carnivorous; primarily hunts small insects, spiders, and occasionally other scorpions using venom to paralyze prey.

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal and thigmotactic; it is a skilled climber and is the only scorpion in the US that can hang upside down. They often congregate in large groups during winter.

Risks & Benefits

Highly venomous; considered the most dangerous scorpion in North America with a sting that can cause severe pain, numbness, and respiratory distress. Beneficial to ecosystems as a natural pest controller.