The European Scorpion Euscorpius fiavicaudis (DeGeer, 1778) in Essex
several years (Benton 1991) and is sexually mature at between 7 and 8 months of age. It can produce
up to 30 young and gestation may last up to one year. However, Benton (1992) showed that females
gave birth only once per year during a short period in summer at the only established British colony
at Sheerness. Adults are aggressively solitary (BV/IMP Inc. Wildlife Fact File at http://www.iris.net/
~Yarberry/Brett 1697/bugs3.html).
World distribution
As a native species, E. fiavicaudis is found in southern Europe, south-west Russia, the Middle East
and North Africa (Lourenco & Vachon 1981; Sissom 1990; Kovarik 1991). Its presence in England
has always been considered to result from artificial introduction (Benton 1991), though whether this
has been deliberate or accidental is debatable; there is, in any case, more than one point of introduction.
Toscano-Gadea (1998) reports the introduction of the species to the New World, in Uruguay during
1996.
British distribution
The species is noted for turning up in apparently isolated localities (Simon 1879) and is able to
adapt to a range of habitats in different climates (Fage 1929). It should come as no surprise, therefore,
that colonies accidentally or deliberately introduced into Britain will persist. It is known from both
England and Scotland and has already 'made" the popular press. According to Highfield (1995),
writing in the Daily Telegraph newspaper, the southern European scorpion, Euscorpius fiavicaudis,
probably arrived in imported food [unlikely to be correct] and is now making a home in southern
England! British colonies were said to occur in the most unlikely places, ranging from Ongar
Underground station to Pinner, Colchester, Harwich, greenhouses across north London and Sheerness
in Kent, where there is a colony of 1,000. However, much of this data is known to be unreliable and
is discussed below under the heading 'Essex Records'.
For a more realistic idea of the true situation, one must, of course, turn to rather more serious
publications. Wanlcss (1974) reports extensively on the colony at Sheerness Port, Isle of Sheppey,
Kent. This has evidently been in existence as an established colony (perhaps reinforced by fresh
arrivals) for more than one hundred years. Benton (1992) studied this colony as a model for the
scorpion's ecology in Britain. Elsewhere in Britain, there are confirmed records of Euscorpius from
(in the last 5 years) Sussex, Berkshire, Plymouth, south-east London, Prestwick (Glasgow) and
probably elsewhere (Tim Benton, personal communication). Records of the distribution of the
European Scorpion in Britain are currently being compiled for publication by Dr Tim Benton and so
present work is, therefore, concerned primarily with Essex observations.
Essex records
Kate Hawkins (1982) reported the discovery of Euscorpius fiavicaudis at a private house in the
centre of Colchester on 12 October 1981. It was brought to Colchester Museum the next day
"accompanied by an attentive press" and subsequently identified by Paul Hillyard at the Natural
History Museum.
Essex Naturalist (New Series) 18 (2001)
165