Scorpions

Scorpions are the oldest arachnids for which fossils are known, and they were the first arachnid fossils to be found in Paleozoic strata. The Silurian scorpions appear to have lived in the water, since their fossils have gills, but by the Carboniferous scorpions with such features are no longer found -- fossils from the Pennsylvanian age Mazon Creek beds have book lungs covered by protective plates, and so were probably land-dwellers. The best scorpion fossils come from the Devonian and the Oligocene; there is a severe lack of fossils known from the intervening period.

These earliest scorpiones are considered to be Protoscorpions, since they possess many traits which are plesiomorphic for scorpions. For example, in all scorpions the thick front portion on the abdomen is made up of seven segments, but the number of sternite plates which cover this region varies among the earliest fossils, while all living species have five. All scorpions have an additional five segments after the initial seven, ending in a sharp sting. This sting contains a pair of poison glands which can paralyze prey, usually insects or small rodents, or may deliver a painful sting to incautious persons. Most scorpion stings are merely painful, leading to swelling in the immediate region of the sting, but some scorpions of northern Africa and the American southwest can be deadly. In the US, the deadliest scorpions are to be found in Arizona, where it is a good idea to shake out shoes before putting them on in the morning!

Besides their unusually long and dangerous tails, scorpions also differ from other arachnids in having large pedipalps. These are the second pair of appendages on the body, and are usually rather inconspicuous in arachnids, but in scorpions, they are large and powerful pincers which may be used to grasp and subdue prey. Scorpions may also have more eyes than other arachnids, some species possessing as many as six pairs, though most do not have this many. They have three joints in their chelicerae, or the first pair of appendages, located next to the mouth

Most scorpions are nocturnal, hiding under rocks, in crevices, or within burrows during the day, and coming out after sunset. Because of this, and because of their painful stings, it can be dangerous to travel at night in scorpion territory without shoes, even inside homes. (I have nearly stepped on a scorpion in my parents' home near Dallas.) One unusual feature of scorpions that has helped many field biologists is the UV fluorescence of scorpion bodies. Biologists hunting for scorpions wave an ultraviolet light near the ground as they walk along, watching for an eerie greenish light to be reflected back. The UV light is absorbed by the scorpion's armor and is reflected back as visible light.

Roach Pheromone and Insect Trap M327RPT
The M327RPT has twice the trapping power of leading competitive traps due to being pre-baited with Victors patented, well-known and highly effective roach pheromone attractant plus food scent. This is the same pheromone attractant presently found on the Victor M330 and M331 traps. The M327RPT traps roaches, crickets, spiders, scorpions and other crawling insects.

The trap has multiple insect entry-points, two catch areas, plus its 90-degree design hugs the wall floor junction where roaches and insects travel for optimum performance.

The M327RPT is quick and easy to assemble. It may be used as one large trap or separated into 2 smaller traps. There are 300 placements per carton

An adhesive strip allows traps to be mounted as needed. A service record area is also provided. The M327RPT contains no poisons and will not harm children or pets.

This is an excellent trap for *small and large roaches*. It has an advanced pheromone in the trap, which lures the roaches quite well. Remember, every roach trapped is potentially many roaches in the long run. These traps also serve well as monitoring stations to tell if you indeed have an infestation.

Multiple entry points allow easy access. Traps nymphs (young roaches), adults, and their eggs to eliminate future infestations. A unique patented trap design fits into small, tight corners.

To use, place bait stations where cockroach activity has been seen, along walls, under appliances, in cupboards and cabinets and under sinks.