Scientific name Euscorpius Higher classification Euscorpiinae Order Scorpion | Subfamily Euscorpiinae Rank Genus Subclass Dromopoda | |
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Lower classifications Euscorpius italicus, Euscorpius flavicaudis, Euscorpius carpathicus, Euscorpius tergestinus, Euscorpius mingrelicus | ||
Euscorpius italicus
Euscorpius is a genus of scorpions, commonly called small wood-scorpions. It presently contains 17 species and is the type genus of the family Euscorpiidae - long included in the Chactidae - and the subfamily Euscorpiinae.
Contents
The most common members belong to the E. carpathicus species complex, which makes up the subgenus Euscorpius. This group is widespread from North Africa and Spain to temperate Eurasia from England and northern France through the Czech Republic to Russia.
The species range in colour from yellow-brown to dark brown. Many are brown with yellow legs and stinger. The largest is E. italicus at 5 cm (2 in), and the smallest is E. germanus at 1.5 cm (0.6 in). The venom of Euscorpius species is generally very weak, with effects similar to a mosquito bite. Some smaller specimens may not even be able to puncture the human skin with their stings.
Species
The genus is currently undergoing revision and the status of taxa is liable to change.
