Identification
"A very important clue is the "triangle" on the front of the carapace; long, slender appendages, which are noticeably more elongate in males than in females; two broad stripes down back, with orange bars on each tergite (dorsal plate); hands and fifth metasoma (tail) segment are darker, especially in young and freshly molted specimens; broad stripe on the back of the tail." - Kari J McWest
Range
Populations of this scorpion
encompass a large geographic range that includes southern Colorado, eastern New Mexico, several of the states in northern Mexico, Texas, western Louisiana, western Arkansas, southern Missouri, Oklahoma, and much of Kansas. (Shelley & Sissom 1985)
Tsunemi YamashitaHabitat
Rocky glade areas in Arkansas are the habitat of C. vittatus.
Tsunemi YamashitaSeason
Arkansas scorpions were not active on the surface during December, January, February, and March but Texas scorpions were active all year.
Tsunemi YamashitaRemarks
Venom is a mild neurotoxin, sting is quite painful. Some people might have a severe allergic reaction requiring medical attention
This is the most common scorpion in the USA.
(1)Print References
Shelley, R.M. and W.D. Sissom. 1985. Distributions of the scorpions Centruroides vittatus (Say) and Centruroides hentzi (Banks) in the United States and Mexico (Scorpiones, Buthidae). JOA 23:100-110.
