Scorpions of North Carolina 47 



human introductions that occurred primarily in the late 1980's and the 

 early 1990's. Both species can potentially survive and reproduce in 

 parts of North Carolina, thereby becoming components of the State's 

 fauna. Likewise, V. carolinianus can potentially survive and reproduce 

 north and east of Polk, and the adjacent fringe of Rutherford, counties. 

 If such populations are ever discovered, they too will date from the 

 late 1980s and early 1990s. 



These scorpions are not dangerous to man, their stings being 

 roughly comparable to those of bees and wasps. Muma (1967) reported 

 that the sting of C. hentzi produced a localized burning sensation and 

 that the area was tender for a few hours; the venom of C. vittatus 

 produces a similar, though more painful, reaction. No information is 

 available on the venom of V. carolinianus, but no species of this genus 

 is known to be harmful (Muma 1967). 



For the benefit of local naturalists, I announce the discovery of 

 these non-native arachnids in North Carolina, publish the available 

 records along with an identification key and pertinent illustrations, and 

 update the known localities of V. carolinianus. Acronyms of 

 sources of preserved study material are as follows: 



AMNH - American Museum of Natural History, New York, 



New York. 

 DEH - Division of Environmental Health, Public Health Pest 



Management Section, North Carolina Department of 



Environment, Health, and Natural Resources, Raleigh. 

 FMNH - Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, Illinois. 

 FSCA - Florida State Collection of Arthropods, Gainesville. 

 MEM - Mississippi Entomological Museum, Mississippi State 



University, Starkville. 

 MMNS - Mississippi Museum of Natural Science, Jackson. 

 NCDA - Division of Plant Industry, North Carolina Department 



of Agriculture, Raleigh. 

 NCSM - North Carolina State Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh. 

 NCSU - Entomology Department, North Carolina State University, 



Raleigh. 

 NMNH - National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian 



Institution, Washington, DC. 

 NSC - Natural Science Center, Greensboro, North Carolina. 

 RNH - Private collection of R. N. Henson, Boone, North Carolina. 

 SEM - Snow Entomological Museum, University of Kansas, Lawrence. 



