Scorpions of Southern Africa

This genus is endemic to Southern African and is distributed on the moister eastern side of Zimbabwe and Eastern South Africa and Mozambique. They may be found under surface debris in vegetated areas that provide greater humidity.

There are 3 species of Pseudolychas in southern Africa, P. ochraceus is common in Gauteng province of South Africa.

P. ochraceus have been known to enter houses where they are found in sinks, bathtubs and showers. They are small brownish-red in colour. Due to its small size, P. ochraceus is commonly mistaken for a Uroplectes sp. but can be distinguished by the 3 ridges on tergites I-IV and a distinctly shaped venom vesicle similar to Opistacanthus sp. and Hadogenes sp. The sting from this scorpion is very painful but not of particular medical importance. P. ochraceus does not construct a burrow, but makes a simple scrape under surface debris. Although urbanization results in the disappearance of other scorpion species, P. ochraceus is known to occur in highly urbanized areas.

Species

• P. ochraceus (Hirst 1911)
• P. pegleri (Purcell 1901)
• P. transvaalicus Lawrence 1961