Scorpion fauna of the major city Delhi in India

 

Scorpions are most known from rural areas, but quite a few species thrive in urban areas and come in close contact with humans and their activities. Most towns in parts of Italy and even major cities like Bologna, Florence and Rome have populations of Euscorpius or Tetratrichobothrius inhabiting cracks and crevices in old stone and brick buildings, city walls and fences. One of my happiest holiday experiences was counting appr. 50 Euscorpius italicus on the walls of our rented holliday villa in the Marche region in Italy.

Urban scorpions can also be a health problem as is the case of many Brazilian towns and cities were urban populations of medical important Tityus species are common. So knowledge of scorpions in urban areas is important.

Gaurav Barhadiya and co-workers recently published a survey of the scorpion fauna of India’s capital, Dehli. They discovered four species from two families. Fortunately, the species found are probably not posing a health danger.

Abstract:
Delhi, one of the world’s most populous cities, hosts a diverse array of urban habitats amidst its limited green cover. Scorpions, distinguished by their venomous stings and ancient lineage, thrive in Delhi’s semi-arid climate. Despite their ecological significance, studies on scorpion diversity in urban environments remain scarce. This study aimed to address this gap by conducting the first systematic assessment of scorpion diversity in Delhi. Field surveys were conducted during both day and night to collect specimens, which were then identified using established taxonomic keys. Four scorpion species from two families were recorded, including Chersonesometrus fulvipes, Isometrus maculatus, Compsobuthus rugosulus, and Lychas cf. biharensis. The semi-arid climate of Delhi, within the Punjab plains biogeographic province, provides a conducive environment for scorpion species to inhabit. This study serves as a preliminary assessment of scorpion diversity in Delhi and underscores the need for further dedicated surveys to comprehensively understand their distribution and ecology in the region.

Reference:
Barhadiya G, Pandey P, Sultana A, Mohapatra PP, Das SK. Scorpion fauna of urban Delhi, India. Rec Zool Surv India. 2025;125(1):57-62. [Open Access]