Solpugid. (AKA "camel spider", "wind scorpion

Images made through a microscope. All subject types.

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Charles Krebs
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Solpugid. (AKA "camel spider", "wind scorpion

Post by Charles Krebs »

While visiting a friend in California last week I found a very odd looking "insect" in the house. To my unaided eye it looked like a cross between a spider and a scorpion. Stuck it in his freezer and took it home with me. Under the stereo I could see it was something I had never found before... a solugid. They are in the class Arachnida, order Solifugae. Apparently there are some very large species ( (5–6 in including legs!), but this one was small... with a full body length of around 3/8-1/2 inch. Still, under the scope it looked pretty formidable, with two prominent sets of fangs (called chelicerae).


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peterkinchington
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Post by peterkinchington »

Your images are always great!
Cheers Kanga
Try, try again. Fall down nine times get up ten.
www.peterkinchington.com

GaryB
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Post by GaryB »

Nice pictures! :D

I used to keep these as pets, along with various mantis and other assorted bugs in Cyprus when I lived there. They are amazing insects with some of the strongest bite strength in the insect world depending on species. They can make very short work of locusts and the like. While not poisonous nor of any significant danger to people, they can easily make a painful set of holes in your fingers if not careful, those jaws open wide :shock:

They are fascinating creatures and I'm glad you got to study one.

carlos.uruguay
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Post by carlos.uruguay »

Fascinating!

Ken Ramos
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Post by Ken Ramos »

Wonderful images :smt023, the eyes remind me of those of an Opilione. To find one of these at six inches would probably garner some attention pretty quick! :)

_Michal_
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Post by _Michal_ »

Excellent
Best regards
Michal

Jacek
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Post by Jacek »

Monster :smt027 . Super photos !

dmillard
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Post by dmillard »

A great set of images!

I first encountered one of these about 20 years ago in southeastern Arizona, when it ran across my arm in the very early morning. It definitely woke me up!

Marek Mis
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Post by Marek Mis »

Awesome images of a fantastic creature !

Marek

Charles Krebs
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Post by Charles Krebs »

Thanks all for the kind remarks. This one was pretty small... but impressive under magnification. I see that some species can get as large as 5-6 inches... now that would really get your attention!

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