Subject: Weird spider scorpion
Geographic location of the bug: Niger
Date: 07/21/2018
Time: 03:50 AM EDT
Your letter to the bugman: We found this on our aircraft and have been flying around central Africa. This one we’ve never seen before and are interested in finding out what it is.
How you want your letter signed: Chelsea
Dear Chelsea,
This is a Solifugid, commonly called a Sun Spider or a Wind Scorpion, though it is neither a Spider nor a Scorpion. It is an Arachnid, and unlike its venomous relatives, Spiders and Scorpions, the Solifugids do not have venom nor poison. They do have powerful mandibles and a large individual might inflict a painful bite. Large Solifugids in the Middle East are commonly called Camel Spiders.