Overview
Italian scorpion in Georgia
The Italian scorpion (Euscorpius italicus) is a true scorpion and belongs to the arachnid class (Arachnida). Modern taxonomic databases recognize it as an accepted species in the family Euscorpiidae. Its presence in Georgia is confirmed by several sources. The Scorpion Files lists Georgia within the species range, while the Georgian Biodiversity Database treats it as a native species in Georgia and names several concrete localities from western Georgia: Batumi, Kobuleti, Ortabatumi, Ozurgeti, Kutaisi, Zestafoni, Zugdidi, and Gagra. These records confirm the species in western Georgia, but they do not provide a complete national range map. The Italian scorpion is a relatively large member of Euscorpius, and adults reach about 50 mm. Available data do not treat it as a species of high medical risk to people, and the sting effect is mainly local.
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Gallery
Italian scorpion in photos
Photo: butterfly_fly
Georgia field photo
Photo: Dominik Boesl
Photo: Gintautas Steiblys
Kobuleti ·
Georgia field photo
Photo: Sandro Khakhva
Ortabatumi ·
Georgia field photo
Photo: Markus Ackermann
Georgia field photo
Photo: Emanuele Santarelli
Photo: Zakro Songulashvili
Batumi ·
Georgia field photo
Photo: Matvei Bogdanov
Georgia field photo
Identification
How to identify Italian scorpion
A relatively large Euscorpius-type scorpion with a dark body, strong pincers, and a relatively short, slender tail. Other scorpions also occur in Georgia, so exact identification by general appearance alone is difficult. A good close-up photo and the discovery location help identification considerably.
According to the Scorpion Files, Euscorpius italicus is one of the relatively large species in the genus. The total length of adults reaches about 50 mm.
The body is usually dark brown, while the legs and the end of the tail may be lighter, yellow-brown. The pincers are strong and massive, and the tail is short and slender relative to the body.
Euscorpius and related Alpiscorpius species often cannot be separated exactly by colour or size alone. Reliable identification may require close-up morphological characters and specialist assessment.
The mottled scorpion (Mesobuthus eupeus) belongs to Buthidae and is linked in Georgia more with dry, open places. The Italian scorpion is a member of Euscorpiidae and is often linked in sources with warm places, buildings, wall cracks, and other shelters.
Biology
Habitat, diet, behavior, and conservation
Habitat and range
The Italian scorpion is associated with warm environments. Across its wider range it occurs in ruins, buildings and wall crevices, under stones, and in other protected places. It may sometimes be found in human living environments. The Georgian Biodiversity Database also lists human-modified environments as the habitat type in the Georgian records. Therefore, a Euscorpius-type scorpion found in a yard, wall crack, or near a building may be Euscorpius italicus, although exact identification from habitat alone is not possible.
Diet
The diet of the Italian scorpion in Georgia has not been studied separately in detail. Like other scorpions, it is predatory and hunts small arthropods. It uses strong pincers to seize prey, and its sting and venom to subdue it. This is general scorpion biology, not the result of a separate Georgian diet study.
Behavior
The Italian scorpion has a secretive way of life. During the day it often hides under stones, in wall or building cracks, and in other shelters. Activity is more likely in the evening and at night. Do not pick it up by hand. If it must be moved from a house or yard, use a container and stiff card instead of direct contact, or ask a specialist. For exact identification, sharp photos from above and the side, plus the exact discovery location, are especially useful.
Conservation
In the Georgian Biodiversity Database 2021 record, Euscorpius italicus is listed as a native species of Georgia. The same database shows LC in the national assessment field, NE in the global IUCN field, and “Not defined” for protection status. These data should not automatically be equated with the legal status of Georgia's current Red List or a full national population assessment.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Short answers to the most important questions about Italian scorpion.
Yes. The Italian scorpion is a confirmed species in Georgia. The Scorpion Files lists Georgia within its range, while the Georgian Biodiversity Database treats it as a native species and names several Georgian localities.
The Georgian Biodiversity Database specifically names Batumi, Kobuleti, Ortabatumi, Ozurgeti, Kutaisi, Zestafoni, Zugdidi, and Gagra. These records especially confirm distribution in western Georgia.
Euscorpius italicus is a relatively large Euscorpius-type scorpion with a dark body, strong pincers, and a short, slender tail. Colour and size alone are not enough for exact species identification; a sharp close-up photo and exact discovery location are recommended.
The Italian scorpion is not considered a species of high medical risk. Available data indicate that the sting effect is mainly local, although a sting can be painful. Do not pick it up by hand. If pain is strong, a child is affected, allergic or other systemic symptoms develop, call 112 and seek medical care.
If the scorpion must be moved, place a container over it without direct contact, carefully slide a stiff card underneath, and move it to a safe place. If this cannot be done safely, contact a specialist. Do not let children or pets touch the scorpion.
In the Georgian Biodiversity Database record, the origin status of Euscorpius italicus is listed as “native”, meaning the database treats it as part of Georgia's local fauna. This does not mean the species occurs in every region of Georgia; specific regional distribution should only be described from corresponding confirmed records.
References
Sources
References
Sources
- GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — Euscorpius italicus taxon record
- The Scorpion Files — Euscorpius italicus species account
- Georgian Biodiversity Database — Euscorpius italicus
- Fet et al. 2006 — low genetic divergence across the range of Euscorpius italicus
Species profiles are compiled from peer-reviewed literature and established biodiversity databases, and are reviewed as new taxonomic and conservation data become available.