Better known as a Camel Spider, the Sun Scorpion seems to be something between a spider and scorpion, but it’s neither. They are solpugids, of which there are 50 species in the southwestern US. This one was in the catio and about 1 1/2 inches long, but they commonly reach 6 inches in length and can supposedly run at speeds up to 10 mph. They eat insects, small lizards, beetles and scorpions that they catch and kill with their jaws, as they are non-venomous.
A blue damselfly landed close to me, and I noticed it was eating an ant when I got it in focus under my macro lens.
Off Center & Not Even 
Oh, the damsel fly is gorgeous! The other…not so much. 🙂 Nice pics!
Thanks, Susan! The camel spider is pretty cool looking.
The maximum size of the solifugids has been vastly overestimated. the biggest species usually only get 3″. I love them. They are super fast and adorable. They run around with thier front legs in the air like they are yelling exhuberantly. They are also super voracious. So cute.
Several sites listed up to 6, but even 3″ is a good size. This one was fast and really hard to photograph with a macro lens.
The first one scares me! But it’s cool how you can see all the little details. >_<
Thanks, Brit!
Beautiful and detailed, all of them. Interesting one with the ant-lunch in progress. The blue is really intense! Thank you!
Thanks, Lavinia. I just wish the dragonflies, damselflies and daddy longlegs could eat a lot more of the sugar ants.
In summer I sometimes have to make moats to keep the little ants out of the cat food bowls.
We use ant proof food dishes that the rom sits up off the floor. I enhance the ant proofing by spreading Vaseline under the rim.
Ant-proof food dishes? Alright!! Brand name and where to get them? Hadn’t thought of vasoline under the rim as a preventative. The Three Sisters cats are especially prone to overturning and having fun with food and water bowls though, and I’ve gone through a few iterations of ant-proofing with those little devils. I’ll take a look at the bowls if you have an online reference.
I sent you the details via email.
Thank you!
I am in total agreement with Miss. Lavinia Ross & as already mentioned before nice information Sir along with the beautiful pics of these lesser known & much more lesser appreciated little creatures 🙂
Thanks for the comment and the reblog;)
Reblogged this on Gravity Gate and commented:
It’s not what is looks like! #amazingCreatures
the damsel fly is simply gorgeous…. but I find the scorpion scary especially since he can go so fast..
Like that final damselfly picture a lot; must be really hard to get a macro shot that good of anything that moves!
Thanks! The biggest problem with macro on the damselflies is that the slightest breeze blows them out of the focus with the limited depth-of-field of the macro lens. The problem with the camel spider is that it was fast and wouldn’t hold still.
What a gorgeous blue.
Thanks!
I am not an insect person, just ask my wife. But these are very interesting and the solifugid is a beauty- in its own way. I’ve only seen a live scorpion once in my life and, believe me when I say, all my years of Saturday morning cartoons served me well. I jumped onto my desk and screamed like a little girl.
I’ve seen people react that way to snakes and spiders. My daughter used to have the giant black emperor scorpions as pets. They are very docile and easy to handle. They would freak people out because of their size. We also have vinegaroons in the area that also freak people out because of there size and monstrous look, but they, like the camel spider are not dangerous to people.
Timothy, you don’t understand. I’m very happy for your daughter but for people like me, all insects are dangerous. Imagine if I had missed the desk when I jumped? Or ran into a door? And the embarrassment alone of having anyone see me? (And whats a vinegaroon? Something found in vinegar? I swear I’m giving up salads!)
The vinegaroons are so named because they can spray a combination of acetic acid and caprylic acid when bothered. The spray smells like vinegar. How do you get all those great photos of southwestern landscapes, old trucks and weather beaten structures without coming across insects?
Just been lucky, I guess! Thanks for the compliment. Oh, and I’m only half joking about the insects. Outdoors they really don’t bother me. It’s only when I’m surprised by them in the house!
That’s good. Some people really have phobias, so you made me wonder. Insects in the house are more intimidating than out side.
We usually try to capture them in the house and release them out doors Except for that one scorpion!
At our house it’s photograph, observe, capture and release if it needs to go back outside. You might want to add “photograph” to your capture and release program;)
Never thought of that. You’re right! Thanks!
awesome blue dragonfly ❤
Thanks, Leyla!
Your photography is amazing. Janet
Thanks, Janet!
Outstanding post.
Bravo!
Ack! They are amazing. I’ve seen pics from my military friend that he shot of them in Afghanistan . He said they used them for target practice. I think he was kidding me.
They are strange looking for sure and they get quite large.
Haha, for sure!