Subject: What kind of bug?
Geographic location of the bug: Phoenix, AZ
Date: 08/26/2018
Time: 08:43 PM EDT
Your letter to the bugman: Found this guy crawling from underneath my concrete patio? Any idea what it is?
How you want your letter signed: Frank
Dear Frank,
This is a Tailless Whip Scorpion, and unlike its namesakes, the true Scorpions, it lacks venom, so it is no threat to humans, though a large individual might bite if carelessly handled. Tailless Whip Scorpions are shy predators that hunt at night and they will help keep your home free from other more problematic creatures, like Cockroaches, Scorpions and Spiders. Based on this BugGuide image, we believe your individual is Paraphrynus carolynae. According to BugGuide: “The very long front legs are referred to as ANTENNIFORM LEGS. The animal uses them to ‘feel’ its way about and to locate its insect prey, which is captured with the spiny pedipalps.”