Scorpions are carnivorous arachnids.
They are sometimes seen with fear because they eat spiders and even lizards.
It is estimated that there are more than 2,000 species of scorpions around the world.
This is the reason why many bugs resemble one of the many types of scorpions found on all continents.
The average scorpion measures about 2.5 inches.
What do Scorpions look like?
Scorpions are terrestrial arachnids of various colors.
They have 8 legs just like spiders.
A pincer and a long pointed segmented tail are the 2 main characteristics of the species.
Scorpions use their pincers to grab prey.
Scorpion pincers and tails are also used against natural predators such as birds and tarantulas.
Scorpions are well adapted creatures to almost all harsh conditions.
These arachnids are known for surviving hot weather and cold weather.
This process allows scorpions to survive with little to no food for long periods of time.
Scorpions are known to live in deserts in the US.
But they have adapted to tropical and temperate climates around the world.
Scorpions are found on almost all continents at low and high altitudes.
Most scorpions are active at night when the temperature is lower.
Other scorpions that benefit from a camouflage-like body color may also rest in plain sight during the day.
Bugs that look like Scorpions
The following species are known to most closely resemble scorpions.
Pseudoscorpions are also known as false scorpions.
These bugs are very small compared to scorpions as they measure anywhere between 2 and 8 mm.
There are more than 3,000 species of pseudoscorpions with distinct colors and characteristics.
Like real scorpions, pseudoscorpions live all over the world, including in the northern US and Canada.
The species is most common in tropical and subtropical climates.
Pseudoscorpions live up to 3 years.
Most people see pseudoscorpions as beneficial if they eat common pests.
Pseudoscorpions eat clothes moth larvae, ants, mites, and all kinds of household flies and larvae.
Because they are smaller than real scorpions, pseudoscorpions are regularly mistaken for spiders when seen around the home.
The wide body and ability to move sideways also led to pseudoscorpions being known as Land Crabs.
Battle scorpion
Battle scorpion
Battle scorpion
Whip scorpions look like emperor scorpions (a type of black scorpion).
The species gets its name from its whip-like tail that resembles the tail of scorpions.
The species occurs in tropical and subtropical climates.
It is also found in high numbers in Africa, where it lives in caves or under rocks or logs.
Scorpions of the genus are known to sting their prey and carry it back to their burrows.
Whip scorpions also have 8 legs.
But the 2 front legs are only used for moving and guiding, as this species uses 6 legs for actual movements.
Known for a completely black color, the corpses of these scorpions grow to a maximum length of 85 mm.
Like real scorpions, they prefer to be active at night, even if they can be seen during the day.
Whip scorpions come out at night, mainly in search of food.
Preferred prey includes insects, isopods, and even worms.
Water scorpion
Water scorpion
Water scorpion
The similarity of the species is not as high as with Pseudoscorpions.
However, water scorpions have 2 raptorial front legs and a very long tail that resembles the segmented tail of scorpions.
This tail is not used to stab prey.
However, Water Scorpions still have a painful bite.
These water bugs are known to live in still water or slow moving water around the world such as in canals.
These water bugs are also known to fly, even if they rarely use it.
One of the main physical traits that make them look like scorpions is the way they catch prey.
As with claws, these appendages are used to catch and hold prey.
Can scorpions swim?
This type of beetle is identified by a black body and black wings.
It is known that the beetle takes a scorpion-like position when it encounters a predator.
It lifts its belly and it opens its pincer jaws ready to attack.
Devil-s Coach Horse Beetle does not sting, but it can bite.
This beetle is known for eating a wide variety of invertebrates such as worms.
Most beetles of the genus are active at night and are rarely seen searching for prey during the day.
The species is common in most parts of Europe and also in North African countries.
Part of the Arachnida genus, camel spiders are sometimes compared to scorpions.
However, these arachnids are neither spiders nor scorpions.
They have 8 legs like spiders and they move fast on the ground just like spiders.
There are over 1,100 species of camel spiders around the world.
With their presence on all continents, camel spiders are seen everywhere except Antarctica and Australia.
Some of the species are known for having large central eyes.
These can distinguish light and shape, making them efficient at finding and capturing prey.
Reproduction rates for Camel spiders are high.
These insects are often compared to scorpions.
Males have long genitals that are raised above the body, which looks like the tail of scorpions.
Little is known about the preferred diet of Scorpionflies in the US.
Some data suggest that these insects are scavengers, while others show that the flies have a predatory behavior.
However, scorpionflies are often seen eating fruits and nectar.
They are also seen eating insects, especially dead insects.
Scorpionflies also eat dead insects and dead animals, similar to many bugs.
Most scorpionflies in the US live in grasslands and natural habitats adjacent to forests.
These flies resemble scorpions due to their ability to raise their abdomens.
The curved abdomen of the fly resembles the position of the scorpion’s raised tail.
There are more than 25,000 species of Ichneumon wasps around the world, meaning specifics about their diet and habitat remain debatable.
However, most subspecies of the genus are known to vaguely resemble wasps which can cause further confusion.
What is known is that mating behavior of Ichneumon wasps are similar.
These wasps are known to have a multi-functional ovipositor that is also used to inject venom.
Female Ichneumon wasps insert venom and eggs into their hosts for the eggs to develop.
This wasp species is sometimes seen as beneficial because female Ichneumon wasps prefer to lay eggs in agricultural pest moths.
Earwigs are sometimes compared to scorpions for their pincers.
These pincers are found at the end of the abdomen.
Earwig pincers are given both defensive and offensive roles.
They are used by Earwigs to defend themselves against predators and also to catch prey.
Many people mistakenly associate earwigs with bugs that bite humans, but they are rarely aggressive toward humans.
Eagles are nocturnal creatures that come out at night to feed.
They are only seen during the day when disturbed by humans or other animals, as they tend to hide under leaves and debris.
Earwigs are mostly dark brown with yellow legs.
Cerci called pincers are also dark brown and are used to capture prey efficiently.
Commonly seen on decaying leaves and vegetation, earwigs can also be scavengers.
Unlike other bugs that look like scorpions, earwigs can also make their way indoors in search of moisture.
Scorpions are sometimes feared for their pincers and their poisonous bite.
Bugs can sometimes appear as scorpions for defensive purposes that help them keep predators away.
Other bugs are known to use pincers to grab prey.
A long tail raised for attack also makes many bugs look like scorpions.
Most of these bugs are found all over the world, especially in warm tropical and subtropical climates.
Bugs that look like scorpions are common in deserts around the world and they are seen on almost every continent except Antarctica.