Field Guide to Venomous and Medically Important Invertebrates ...

Mesobuthus tamulus, the common red scorpion, and Palamneits swammerdami, are potentially
lethal. Indeed, the common red scorpion has killed many people with a historic mortality rate
around 30%. In the western Cape of Africa, Parabuthus granulatus is the most important
venomous species while Androctonus australis and Buthus occitanus in northern Africa are
regularly implicated in stinging humans with serious consequences. Opistophthalmus
glabrifrons, Family Scorpionidae, is widespread in southern Africa, and is able to produce a
variety of dangerous systemic symptoms, but no deaths have yet been attributed to this species.
Androctonus crassicauda and Buthus occitanus generally are considered to be the two most
dangerous scorpions in Jordan. Similarly, A. crassicauda is the second most frequent source of
scorpion sting in southwest Iran where it is considered to be a significant social hazard. This
species is responsible for many deaths annually, mostly among children. Of 2,534 patients in
one study in southwest Iran, three scorpion species accounted for nearly all of the stings, i.e.,
Androctonus crassicauda (41%) and Mesobuthus eupeus (45%) (Family Buthidae), and
Hemiscorpion lepturus (13%) (Family Scorpionidae). In the United States, the only scorpion
capable of inflicting a fatal sting is Centruroides exilicauda (=C. sculpturatus, C. gertschi)
which is distributed in Arizona, California, Utah, and western Mexico. However, no deaths in
the United States have been attributed to this species since 1968.
Figure 33. Androctonus crassicauda, Middle East. Photo: Al Sirhan.
Figure 34. Buthus occitanus, Middle East. Photo: Danne Rydgren.
Figure 35. Centruroides exilcauda, North America. Photo: Kelly Swift.
Figure 36. Hottentotta jayakari, Middle East. Photo: Eric Ythier.
Figure 37. Yellow scorpion, (Leiurus quinquestriatus), Middle East. Photo: W. Wüster.
Figure 38. Mesobuthus eupeus, Middle East. Photo: G. Witt.