Although the center of La Plata is the usual place where complaints are made about the appearance of scorpions, sightings of which have become commonplace in recent years during hot periods, the presence of these arachnids has begun to be increasingly reported in the outlying areas.
This time the concerns come from numbers 516 and 148 in the La Granja neighborhood, more precisely from a house where they were surprised by the presence of the scorpion.
The family who discovered it shared a photo on the WhatsApp group to warn neighbors “so they can be alert” and avoid any possible inconvenience.
Apparently, experts say, this time it is the scorpion Bothriurus bonaerensis, one of the two species found in the region. It is a medium-sized, robust and dark scorpion whose stings can cause reactions, although they are not dangerous to humans.
How do you know if it is a poisonous scorpion?
Alda González, researcher at the Center for Parasitological and Vector Studies (CEPAVE – UNLP – CONICET), explained that “most species of scorpions live in places remote from humans, are hidden and nocturnal; this makes them a group that is rarely observed by most people, but unfortunately the species that have an interest in health usually live in urban environments, which makes them more dangerous because the encounter between humans and scorpions is significantly increasing.”
Although all scorpions have venom, most are harmless to humans. In Argentina there is only one genus (Tityus) of health importance and within this only two species are responsible for serious accidents through their bite. In other words, only 4% of scorpion species in our country could be considered dangerous.
The species Tityus trivittatus is found in the city and is characterized by its light yellow color, long pincers, long, thin nails and a subacular appendage. This appendage is located in the last section of the tail and is a second tip of the section located in front of the tip that the scorpion uses to inject the venom.
Another feature is that this species can be parthenogenetic, that is, females can have offspring without the participation of the male and all their offspring will be females. In other words, a single specimen can be used to colonize a suitable location.
González also explained that Bothriurus bonaerensis, a medium-sized, robust and dark scorpion, is found in rural and rural-urban areas. These specimens are usually found in agricultural areas and their bite, although extremely rare, does not have serious consequences for humans.
Since 2005, the CEPAVE arachnology group has been monitoring the scorpions found, which are brought to the laboratory for identification, as well as the scorpions found during prospecting trips.
In this sense, the researcher explained that “from 2013, the year of the flooding of La Plata, a significant increase in the number of consultations was observed, and at the same time T. trivitatus was observed to colonize new areas in the city, with repeated findings in new areas adding to those already confirmed.”
The detailed study of the variables that may have influenced the distribution and distribution of these specimens ranges from the discovery of sources of garbage accumulation that provide them with insects as food, to tree species with bark and cavities that provide them with shelter; to examine the condition of pipes, drains and stormwater, as well as the extent of increased construction activity in the surrounding areas that may have altered the natural refuges of these arachnids.
CEPAVE recommendations
Personal protection
Do not leave clothes, personal belongings and other items on the floor (this is a measure that also protects us from dangerous spiders)
Check and shake out clothing and shoes.
Shake out bedding before going to bed or putting a baby or child to bed.
Be careful when examining drawers or shelves.
Avoid walking barefoot or with open-toed shoes in areas where scorpions are known.
Perform all types of dirt or debris removal work using thick gloves and appropriate, closed-toe footwear.
Protection inside houses
Use plumbing screens in room and toilet drains
Check the entrances and exits of pipes, openings and gaps
Install weatherstripping or wire mesh (mosquito nets) on doors and windows
Plaster walls, repair cracks in floors, walls and ceilings
Check underground chambers, pipes, basements, elevator shafts and voids in walls
Protection for the surroundings of houses
Carry out careful and regular cleaning of houses and surrounding areas
Control garbage to reduce the number of arthropods (spiders and cockroaches) that serve as food for scorpions.
Avoid the accumulation of building materials, debris, firewood and leaf litter as these are usually places where they are stored, preserved and distributed.
Avoid putting them together with your hands.
Scorpions can be found in rural areas (under tree bark, stones, bricks) or urban areas (basements, tunnels, warehouses, underground chambers).
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