Image: Pseudoscorpion

Pseudoscorpion, line drawing. Pseudoscorpions or 'false scorpions' belong to the Order Pseudoscorpionida.

Illustrator:

Andrew Howells

Rights:

© Australian Museum

Additional information

What do pseudoscorpions look like?

Size:

• Less than 10 mm in length.

Body:

• No constriction between the cephalothorax (front portion containing head) and the abdomen.
• Abdomen is segmented, cigar- to tear-drop shaped, flattened and appears hard.

Antennae:

• Absent.

Eyes:

• Two or four eyes along front margins of cephalothorax, but some species may have no eyes at all.

Mouthparts:

• For mashing and chopping up prey and slurping liquids.

Wings:

• Absent.

Limbs:

• Eight legs.
• Pedipalps (appendages between first legs and mouthparts) are large with pincers (chela) at their ends.

Abdomen tip:

• Absent.

Where are pseudoscorpions found?

• On land in many habitats including deserts.
• In leaf litter, under bark and rocks.

What do pseudoscorpions do?

• Pseudoscorpions are usually solitary but some live in groups.
• When disturbed they run under cover.
• They have venom that is delivered via glands in their pincers. The venom is used to paralyse prey and is not harmful to humans.
• All pseudoscorpions are predators feeding on other invertebrates. They use their pincers to clasp prey, inject venom and then liquefy victims with digestive juices.
• They move with their pincers outstretched in front.
• Most spin silk that is generally used for home building and protecting pseudoscorpions that are moulting or breeding.
• Some species move from one region to the next by clinging to larger animals (mostly insects).
• They are active at night. If active during the day it is generally in dark places.

What looks similar?

• Scorpions are easily distinguished from pseudoscorpions as they have long tails with stingers and are usually larger than 10 mm.

Last Updated: 24 September 2009

Tags pseudoscorpions, arachnids, arthropods, invertebrates, identification, Bugwise,