Euscorpius flavicaudis field trip

My goodness what a weekend!

James and I were privileged enough to be allowed to visit and be involved with the study of one of the Euscorpius flavicaudis colonies here in the UK. This was my first field trip, the first of many more to come and what an awesome experience it was.

I know I have seen my scorpions fluoresce under a UV light. But catching my first wild scorpion in the UV torch beam was incredible. In a crack in a wall, chela were glowing green! The excitement is indescribable.

Where the colony is located, it is a wonderful micro habitat mainly consisting of 3 alien species, obviously the Euscorpius flavicaudis but also Sergestia florentina, one of the most venomous spiders in the UK and a tropical species of woodlice (the scientific name escapes me at the moment!) And the three species thrive together. the woodlice obviously munch through rotting vegetation, and the Sergestia and Euscorpius munch on them.
By the same token the Sergestia and the Euscorpius also feed on each other! we found several scorpions trapped in webs and we were lucky enough to find a Euscorpius feasting on an adult Sergestia

I am very pleased to report that the original colony is going strong. I would tell you more but I have been asked to keep it brief so the full report can go into the BTS journal.

I will add some pictures later when I have chance to download, then upload them!

We did collect some specimens. Hopefully get them bred more in captivity. This is an awesome little species. I think I can honestly say I im beginning to have flavicaudis on the brain... kinda like mike has mordax on the brain!!!

Pure awesome on so many levels. You'll have to send us the BTS article when it's published.

And I know EXACTLY what you mean about the excitement of seeing green in your UV beam for the first time.

LadyRiotControl wrote:

I can honestly say I im beginning to have flavicaudis on the brain... kinda like mike has mordax on the brain!!!

Lol, these little guys are infectious, aren't they?

OMG aren't they just!

I am still buzzing about last night. cant get it out of my head!

I have what looks to be a S.florentina in my bathroom at the moment

wicked spids aren't they XD

sonia was poking it before I got home lol, she is now leaving it well alone

lmao!!!!

Sounds like you had a fab time! Real pioneer!

oh it was fantastic! stupidly i neglected to buy a black light but i still spotted some!!!
i've been out looking for UK spiders a couple times in Cornwall, that was great, but this was truly amazing. i actually woke up this morning dreaming of finding more!
what a great little species, watching them creep up and down the was amazing:D
i also potted up some florentina, wish i'd done a whole lot more...they are beautiful spiders and really not alot of bother! they jumped right into the pots haha

that sounds really cool.

can't wait to see the pics.

Would love to see some pictures... still have them?