Latin: Pseudoscorpionida
Even though this animal is called both false scorpion and book scorpion, it is not a scorpion at all. The false scorpion is related to spiders and mites, although they are also related to the true scorpions. The biggest difference between false scorpions and scorpions is the size (false scorpions are small) and the fact that false scorpions have no venom hook on their tail. In fact, they have no tail!
False scorpions can be disturbing to get in touch with as one will think it is an actual scorpion or perhaps a scorpion cub. However, a false scorpion can always be recognized by the lacking tail and venom hook. If the hind body is rounded like an egg, you know you are dealing with a false scorpion or a book scorpion.
Appearance
You can recognize the false scorpion on its claws, which are located at the front of the body. These claws are on the outer joint of the lower jaw and do not work like on the ordinary scorpions. In total they have eight legs, four on each side of the body. The hind body is responsible larger than the front, and it is rounded, egg-shaped. The false scorpion is also small, the average size is about 5 mm.
False scorpions and book scorpions have the, previously mentioned, claws in common. These claws act as sensory organs and are equipped with sensory hairs. This makes it easier for the false scorpion and the book scorpion to find their way around, as they have a poor eyesight.
Biology and behavior
Overall, there are two different species that are roughly considered the same animal, namely the false- and the book scorpion. False scorpions are basically predators, just like the real scorpions, but they are harmless to humans and larger animals. The main difference between the two species is their natural habitat.
The false scorpion lives in moss, on bark, or in the soil. They like a humid climate and can only be seen outside. They live off hunting various small animals such as mites, springtails, and aphids. They hunt by using the sensory hairs on the claws. Once they have found a prey, they hold it with the claws and bite. On a tooth that is placed inside the claw, there is a gland from which a venom is released.
In addition to venom glands, false scorpions also have spider glands. These are used when changing their skin. When a false scorpion needs to change skin, it spins a capsule around itself so that it is protected. Likewise, female false scorpions will spin a small bag for their eggs and newly hatched chicks so they can carry them around.
As the name suggests, book scorpions are found in books and other stationery, but they are only found in the right humid environments.
Damage
False moss scorpions do not harm humans or houses. Their claws, which may seem intimidating at first glance, cannot bite through human skin, making them harmless to humans. Likewise, the poison that the false scorpion has is not dangerous to humans either. The venom is only deadly to small animals such as springtails, mites, and dust lice, as this is the false scorpion’s food source.
False scorpions do not damage furniture or buildings. However, they can be an annoyance especially the book scorpions. Book scorpions do no harm books or other stationery. On the contrary, they eat various mites and other pests, which can damage older stationery and books. Their presence may be a sign that one should keep a closer eye on the humidity level.
Prevention and control
Since the false scorpions and book scorpions are not dangerous to humans or our things, there is no reason for controlling them. In the wild, they cannot harm humans, but are an essential part of a healthy ecosystem, as they eat mites and other small animals. Indoors, book scorpions can help keep small animals away from important papers and books. If you notice many book scorpions indoors, it is typically a sign of a high humidity in the room or home.
They will just as quietly disappear when the humidity is lowered in the room again, just as their prey will also disappear.
"Pests in House and Home"
"Bed Bugs - Bites, Stings and Itches"
"Food Pests"
"Husets dyreliv" (Insects Around the House - Only danish)
"Skadedyr i træ" (Timber Pests - Only danish)
"Stuefluen" (Common Housefly - Only danish)