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

Charles Krebs · Post by **Charles Krebs** » Tue Oct 11, 2016 11:57 pm

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).

peterkinchington · Post by **peterkinchington** » Wed Oct 12, 2016 1:37 am

Your images are always great!
Cheers Kanga

GaryB · Post by **GaryB** » Wed Oct 12, 2016 4:26 am

Nice pictures!

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

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

carlos.uruguay · Post by **carlos.uruguay** » Wed Oct 12, 2016 5:31 am

Fascinating!

Ken Ramos · Post by **Ken Ramos** » Wed Oct 12, 2016 10:52 pm

Wonderful images

, 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_ · Post by **_Michal_** » Fri Oct 14, 2016 5:12 am

Excellent

Jacek · Post by **Jacek** » Fri Oct 14, 2016 8:11 am

Monster

. Super photos !

dmillard · Post by **dmillard** » Mon Oct 24, 2016 4:11 am

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 · Post by **Marek Mis** » Mon Oct 24, 2016 9:13 pm

Awesome images of a fantastic creature !

Marek

Charles Krebs · Post by **Charles Krebs** » Tue Oct 25, 2016 5:00 pm

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!