Arachnid
Hentz Striped Scorpion
Centruroides hentziAlso known as Florida Bark Scorpion, Hentz Bark Scorpion
Hentz striped scorpions shelter beneath peeling pine bark, Spanish moss, and deadwood, emerging after dusk to ambush passing insects. Like all bark scorpions, females give birth to live young and carry the pale scorplings piled safely across their backs until the first molt. Under ultraviolet light, their cuticle fluoresces a vivid greenish-cyan, making them easy to spot against dark tree trunks on night walks.
NocturnalArachnidVenomous
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyCockroaches, Crickets, Spiders
Predators
- Eastern Screech-Owl
- Virginia Opossum
- Southern Toad
ThreatsHabitat loss from coastal development, heavy pesticide application, and deforestation
HabitatsPine flatwoods, maritime forests, scrub oak ridges, and suburban woodpiles
Life span3–5 years
Classification
- OrderScorpiones
- FamilyButhidae
- GenusCentruroides
- SpeciesCentruroides hentzi
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskVery high
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is very high
- Delivers a painful sting comparable to a wasp; observe without touching and shake out outdoor gear.
- Why it is dangerous
- Stings deliver peptide neurotoxins causing immediate burning pain, mild localized swelling, and transient numbness.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Recognized by a slender yellowish-tan body, three dark longitudinal stripes across the carapace, and thin pincers.
- What to do
- Use a UV flashlight to spot them at night, and avoid placing bare hands under rotting bark or firewood.
Responsible observation
- Night Spotting: Scan tree trunks and deadfall with a 395 nm blacklight to see their cuticle glow brightly.
- Camp Safety: Shake out boots, sleeping bags, and folding chairs before use in coastal pine flatwoods.
Competitor (c) Bill Sheehan, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Bill Sheehan · cc-by-sa
Close Relative A. Knoblich / Public domain · cc0
Close Relative (c) lazarus, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by lazarus · cc-by
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