Isometroides vescus, also known as the spider-hunting scorpion or spiral burrow scorpion, is a species of scorpion in the Buthidae family. It is native to Australia, and was first described by German arachnologist Ferdinand Karsch in 1880.
Description
The species grows to about 50 mm in length. It is mainly golden-brown in colour, with a dark brown tail tip.
Distribution and habitat
Found across much of inland Australia, except for the far north, the species occurs in sclerophyll forests and woodlands, as well as saltbush plains.
Behaviour
The scorpions are specialised free-ranging nocturnal predators of trapdoor spiders, and are often found in the vacant burrows of their prey.
References
vescus
Scorpions of Australia
Endemic fauna of Australia
Arthropods of New South Wales
Arthropods of the Northern Territory
Arthropods of Queensland
Arthropods of South Australia
Arthropods of Victoria (state) Arthropods of Western Australia Animals described in 1880 Taxa named by Ferdinand Karsch