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SUN SCORPION
Eremobates gladiolus
Family Eremobatidae - Eremobatid Windscorpions
Order Solpugida - Sun or Wind Scorpions
Risk Status
Official status
The status of the Sun Scorpion is G?
S2? It is classified as a Rare
species.
Hardly anything is known about the sun scorpions that live in
the south Okanagan - in fact, there is some evidence that more than
one species occurs in the region. Knowledge of invertebrate ranges
and status is poor, and new, intensive surveys are needed to further
clarify the status of many of these animals.
Image Credits: Sun Scorpion in 'Rare
Invertebrates of the South Okanagan' brochure sketch by Hannah Nadel;
photo by David Shackleton
Distinguishing features
Despite their common name, Sun Scorpions
are not scorpions and shun the sunlight, preferring to hunt at night.
They are also called wind scorpions because they appear to run as
fast as the wind. They are sometimes called sunspiders after their
sunny desert habitat. There are almost 120 species in North America
out of 800 to 900 worldwide. Most North American species belong
to the family Eremobatidae, which consists of medium-sized arachnids
(15-45 mm long) that are mostly brownish or yellowish and often
hairy. They differ from species in the only other North American
family, Ammotrechnidae, in having a straight front of the head and
1 or 2 claws on the first pair of legs, rather than a rounded or
pointed head and no claws.
Sun Scorpions (Eremobates gladiolus) are easily recognized
by the pair of large, pincerlike chelicerae
on the head in front of the mouth and by the waistlike constriction
near the middle of the body. Unlike the broadly joined cephalothorax
and abdomen of scorpions, sun scorpions have 3 distinct body regions
- a segmented cephalothoracic
area with 2 eyes at the front margin, a 3-segmented thorax, and
a 10-segmented abdomen.
The chelicerae are used independently of each other to chew food
- one pair holds the prey, while the other cuts it. The long, slender
pedipalps do not have pincers and are used to scoop up water and
bring it to the mouth. The first pair of legs are longer than the
others and function in conjunction with the pedipalps
as feelers. The other 3 pairs of legs are used for walking.
Additionally, specialists identify this order by minute, T-shaped
organs on the hind pairs of legs.
Distribution
Map
Red dots indicate specimen records or confirmed breeding sites.
British Columbia
In British Columbia, Sun Scorpions are apparently restricted to
the south Okanagan Valley.
North America
No information is available at this time.
Habitat
Sun Scorpions live in sandy, dry areas, hiding under stones or
in shallow burrows during the day.
Why is it endangered?
Rare invertebrates of the south Okanagan and Similkameen valleys
such as this species are threatened not by direct exploitation,
but by loss or degradation of their habitats. They are at risk because
their ecosystems are at risk.
The grasslands of the southern interior of the province are a
valuable agricultural resource, and their rich soils have been ploughed
and irrigated to produce tree fruits, grapes, and vegetables. Pesticide
use has probably had a great impact on native insects living in
around agricultural areas. As well, heavy grazing has altered the
plant composition of grasslands, changing the invertebrate communities.
The massive diversity of invertebrate species in British Columbia
makes it very difficult for entomologists to do a literature or
collection survey to determine which species are endangered or threatened.
Specialized, detailed surveys will be required for almost every
species that is suspected of being endangered. Despite a general
ignorance about invertebrate distribution, information is known
about a number of species that are confined to threatened habitats
of very limited extent in the Thompson-Okanagan valleys.
Biology
Females lay about 50 eggs in subterranean burrows, then stand
guard over the eggs and young for up to several weeks until the
young molt for the first time.
Adult Sun Scorpions usually live only a few months.
They use their jaws to capture and crush their invertebrate prey.
They prey on insects and small vertebrates, including lizards.
Sources of more information
Related On-line Sites to Visit
Publications
The SOCAP Workshop Summary, The Nature Trust, 1989.
The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Insects and
Spiders, 1980, p. 935
Museum Specimens
this section sponsored
by: 
Industry Canada
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