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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Chelicerates (Chelicerata) » Arachnids (Arachnida) » Windscorpions (Solifugae)

Order Solifugae - Windscorpions

Classification · Other Common Names · Pronunciation · Synonyms and other taxonomic changes · Explanation of Names · Numbers · Size · Identification · Range · Habitat · Food · Remarks · Print References · Internet References · Works Cited
Wind Scorpion - Solifugae what is this? Habitus, Lateral - Eremobates polhemusi - female insect, odd Eremocosta striata - male Scorpion Looking Arachnid Thing Solifugae Eremochelis bilobatus - female
Classification
Kingdom Animalia (Animals)
Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Subphylum Chelicerata (Chelicerates)
Class Arachnida (Arachnids)
Order Solifugae (Windscorpions)
Other Common Names
Solifugids, Solifuges.
the names Camel Spider, Wind Scorpion, Sun Spider are sometimes used but are misleading, as the creatures are not closely related to either scorpions or spiders
Pronunciation
Solifugae (SOLE-ee-FEW-jee), solifuge (SOLE-ee-fuge), solpugid (sol-PEW-jid)
Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
The order is currently under revision. If you would like to contribute to the research, please consult(1)
Explanation of Names
Solifugae Sundevall 1833
Latin sol 'sun' + fug 'flee' (Solifugae are nocturnal and if found in daylight will seek the nearest shade)
Numbers
ca. 200 spp. in 12 genera of 2 families in NA(2); >1100 spp. in ~140 genera of 12 families worldwide(1)(3)
Great many spp. are known from either males or females only, so associating genders will probably lead to combining some putative species in the future.
Size
so. African spp. can reach 70 mm (up to 160 mm with legs included (Biodiversity Explorer); most of our spp. reach about 25 mm (~1")
Identification
Eight-legged, somewhat scorpion-like, but lacking the tail. Elongated pedipalps look like an extra set of legs, but are used as sensory organs, similar to antennae.

Identification to species extremely difficult.
Keys to genera in(2)
Range
Map
Habitat
Warm arid places, mostly deserts and sandy areas, but some found in forests and grasslands
Food
Voracious predators, feed on invertebrates and small vertebrates; scavenge on dead creatures and hunt live prey
Remarks
They lack venom, but the strong jaws may inflict a sharp bite in self-defense if handled. The most common species are quite small and can hardly be felt except for a slight "pinch". Larger members (e.g., Eremorhax spp.) have been known to draw blood. Immediately disinfect the bite.
"Solifugae are the subject of many urban legends and exaggerations about their size, speed, behavior, appetite, and lethality." (Wikipedia)
Print References
Muma 1970, A synoptic review of North American, Central American and West Indian Solpugida (4)
Internet References
Snope.com Debunking of Camel Spider myths, some general information
Works Cited
1.Savary et al. (2005-2008) The arachnid order Solifugae
2.An annotated checklist of continental North American Solifugae with type depositories, abundance,and notes on their zoogeography
Brookhart J.O., Brookhart I.P. 2006. J. Arachnol. 34: 299–329.
3.Order Solifugae Sundevall, 1833. In: Zhang Z.-Q. (ed.) Animal biodiversity: An outline of higher-level classification...
Prendini L. 2011. Zootaxa 3148: 118.
4.A synoptic review of North American, Central American and West Indian Solpugida
Martin H. Muma. 1970. The Arthropods of Florida and Neighboring Land Areas, Vol. 5.
Contributed by Mike Boone on 2 October, 2004 - 8:57am
Additional contributions by Hannah Nendick-Mason, John VanDyk, Beatriz Moisset, Chuck Entz, Kari McWest, Mike Quinn, ceiseman, v belov, Edward Ruden
Last updated 19 March, 2024 - 10:33am

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