Lizbeth Parra Mendoza and co-workers have not published a crime story, but an observation of a Centruroides elegans (Thorell, 1876) (Buthidae) preying on a juvenile tarantula of the species Bonnetina cyaneifemur Vol, 2000 in an area in Jalisco, Mexico.
There are few records of scorpions preying on tarantulas, but not surprising because of the scorpions being generalist predators.
Abstract:
Tarantulas and scorpions have an important intraguild predation relationship, with spiders acting as predators in most cases. However, scorpions can prey on tarantulas, especially juveniles. We present a case of scorpion predation on the tarantula Bonnetina cyaneifemur in a Mexican dry forest. A juvenile B. cyaneifemur was found in the vegetation with its prosoma partially eaten by a female scorpion Centruroides elegans. Our record increases the number of known predators for the Mexican tarantula B. cyaneifemur and provides information on a trophic niche of the species.
Reference:
Mendoza LP, Lira AFdA, Gonzalez-Santillan E. Record of a tarantula Bonnetina cyaneifemur preyed upon by Centruroides elegans. Southwestern Entomologist. 2025;50(2):1–6. [Subscription required for full text]
Thanks to Andre for sending me this article!
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