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This huge insect get into my house
Posted: Sun Sep 11, 2022 2:32 am
by unsown
I’ve never seen this kind of insect before. It’s it harmful to people?
Re: This huge insect get into my house
Posted: Sun Sep 11, 2022 2:51 am
by kevinkk
YAH! Looks like some battle damage.
That is an arachnid, specifically a vinegaroon, Thelyphonida. Completely harmless, more or less, they are not poisonous, but they do have a fright
factor.
Re: This huge insect get into my house
Posted: Sun Sep 11, 2022 4:04 am
by unsown
Thank you so much! I feel released. Next time I could do better.
Re: This huge insect get into my house
Posted: Sun Sep 11, 2022 8:20 am
by adamcotton
These are also known as 'whip scorpions' due to the long thin appendage on the abdomen. They have no sting, unlike a true scorpion, but exude strong acid which has a very distinct smell, and probably can burn skin if the acid comes into contact with it.
I sometimes see them near my house here in Thailand, especially during the rainy season. I didn't realise they are also present in Europe, since you appear to be in Germany, but perhaps you live somewhere else.
Adam.
Re: This huge insect get into my house
Posted: Sun Sep 11, 2022 1:05 pm
by livingplanet3
The species in the photo appears to be Mastigoproctus giganteus -
https://bugguide.net/node/view/29752
It's a North American species, and doesn't range into Europe. Apart from M. giganteus, there are various other whip scorpion species in the American tropics / subtropics, a single species in Africa (Etienneus africanus), and many species in the Asian tropics (including the large genus Thelyphonus).