Buthus occitanus

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
Buthus occitanus
Buthus occitanus.jpg
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Order: Scorpiones
Family: Buthidae
Genus: Buthus
Species: B. occitanus
Binomial name
Buthus occitanus
Amoreux, 1789

Buthus occitanus, the Common Yellow Scorpion, is a species of scorpion in the Buthidae family. It occurs in the Middle East, North Africa and Europe.

B. occitanus is 60-80 mm in length,[1] has a yellow or yellow-brown color and is venomous, but its toxicity varies markedly across its range.[2] This scorpion is often found in dry and hot areas with sparse vegetation, where it hides under stones etc. during daytime. It has also been reported from Mediterranean forests in Spain at altitudes above 1000 meters (with snowfall in the winter). The sting in Europe is painful but with mild toxic effects but in Africa can be fatal.[3]


  1. ^ http://www.ntnu.no/ub/scorpion-files/european_scorp.php
  2. ^ Gary Mullen, Lance Durden, ed. (2009). Medical and Veterinary Entomology. Academic Press. ISBN 0-12-372500-3. 
  3. ^ Insects. Torstar Books. 1986. ISBN 0-920269-82-6.