Predator and prey - Scorpions vs. centipedes

 

Centipedes are known to catch and eat scorpions, but the role is also reversed sometimes. Both are known to be fierce predators that hunt a diversity of prey types, and it is not surprising that they sometimes hunt each other.

Danniella Sherwood and co-workers have recently published an article documenting 14 new cases of predation of centipedes by scorpions from several regions of the world. Most cases involved species in the family Buthidae, but one case involved the diplocentrid Nebo hierichonticus (Simon, 1872).

Abstract:
Fourteen new cases of centipede predation by scorpions is presented based on four records made by coauthors and ten provided by citizen scientists. Records span from Guinea, Israel, and South Africa to the United States.

Reference:
Sherwood D, Hernández HD, Henrard A, Waysman D. A feast of a thousand legs starts with a single sting: fourteen new cases of predation of centipedes (Myriopoda: Chilopoda) by scorpions (Arachnida: Scorpiones). Revista Iberica de Arachnologia. 2025(46):109–13. [Article provided by authors]

Thanks to Dannielle for sending me their article!