Expert: Eric R. Eaton - 7/6/2008

Question
This weekend we found a tiny (1/2 inch-3/4 inch long) bug in the sand at the Columbia river in Washington.  It looked like a scorpion with little red pincers.  I am curious as to what it is so I can research it more.  My daughter was stung by something in the area and has some swelling. I don't know if the bug I need identified was the culprit but I'd like to know more about it.

Answer

Molly:

Actually, by entomology standards, that is a pretty large animal:-)  It might have very well been a small scorpion, especially if you were east of the Cascade range at the time (I grew up in Portland, but routinely came across scorpions in my trips over the mountains).

I would have suggested a "pseudoscorpion," but they are truly tiny, usually under 1/4 inch, and have no 'tail' like a true scorpion.

Other possibilities include "sun spiders" (aka "camel spiders," "solpugids," "solifuge," "wind scorpion") in the genus Eremobates.  They , like pseudoscorpions, are non-venomous, but predatory.

Could also have been an aquatic insect if it was found near water....

In short, without more information, I can't be of real help.  You might look at the images of the creatures I just listed at:

http://www.bugguide.net

or in my book, the "Kaufman Field Guide to Insects of North America," which covers some non-insect arthropods likely to be encountered by folks.  Feel free to send a follow-up question, but then include much more detail, please.

Eric R. Eaton
http://community.webtv.net/bugeric/BugEric