Striped bark scorpion
Venomous · Centruroides vittatus
Painful, rarely seriousUsually like a bee or wasp sting
The most common scorpion in the US. The sting is painful, often compared to a wasp sting.
- Lives in
- 10 states
- Size
- 2–2.75 in
- Open US records
- 1,883
- Group
- Scorpion
How to identify it
- Yellowish tan with two dark stripes down the back
- Dark triangle on the head
- Thin pincers and a long thin tail
Size: 2–2.75 in (length). Habitat: Under rocks, bark and debris; often in houses.
Where it lives
- Lives here
- Rare records
- Gone
- Not here
When it is out
Look-alikes
State by state
| State | Status | Open records | Counties |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | Lives here | 1,377 | 139 |
| Oklahoma | Lives here | 150 | 21 |
| Arkansas | Lives here | 60 | 16 |
| Missouri | Lives here | 60 | 18 |
| Colorado | Lives here | 54 | 8 |
| New Mexico | Lives here | 50 | 14 |
| Louisiana | Lives here | 48 | 7 |
| Illinois | Lives here | 36 | 5 |
| Kansas | Lives here | 30 | 12 |
| Nebraska | Lives here | 10 | 2 |
| Tennessee | Rare records | 4 | 1 |
| Florida | Rare records | 2 | 0 |
| Kentucky | Rare records | 1 | 1 |
| Ohio | Rare records | 1 | 1 |
States not listed have no open records and are outside the range.
Questions
Where does the striped bark scorpion live?
In 10 states: Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. Rare records also come from Florida, Kentucky, Ohio and Tennessee.
Is the striped bark scorpion dangerous?
Painful, rarely serious. The most common scorpion in the US. The sting is painful, often compared to a wasp sting.
How do you identify a striped bark scorpion?
Yellowish tan with two dark stripes down the back. Dark triangle on the head. Thin pincers and a long thin tail.
When is the striped bark scorpion most active?
Most open US records fall in April to July, September.