Giant Vinegarone
Mastigoproctusgiganteus
Order
Family
Genus
Species
Regional
This bug has been reportedly found in the following regions:
Hereford, Arizona(2 reports)
Sierra Vista, Arizona
Apopka, Florida
Deltona, Florida
Carlsbad, New Mexico(2 reports)
Hobbs, New Mexico
Maljamar, New Mexico
El Paso, Texas(2 reports)
Lubbock, Texas
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Gardener's Notes:
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d
dontkillbugspls
|
April 2019 |
Positive
Why kill innocent creatures when you can trap them and relocate them? vinegaroons are awesome predators that lack any venom but a large vinegaroons claws may break skin if you get it to attack you (by hurting it or touching it) but it doesn't hurt. they also spray acedic acid from glands on their skin and this smells like vinegar.
p
peejay12
(Zone 9b) |
March 2014 |
Positive
These creatures look scary, but in my experience are completely harmless, and may eat some garden pests. I kept mine as a pet and they are quite popular as a safe alternative pet to scorpions.
The acidic smell they give out when alarmed was quite faint -- a bit like a squeezed lemon. Nothing to be alarmed about, and the 'pincers' are very weak.
Just leave them alone -- they won't do any harm!
The acidic smell they give out when alarmed was quite faint -- a bit like a squeezed lemon. Nothing to be alarmed about, and the 'pincers' are very weak.
Just leave them alone -- they won't do any harm!
G
GreenThumbToo
Sierra Vista, AZ |
April 2012 |
Positive
I was new to living in Arizona and had first rented a manufactured home, which had a large cement patio. It was on an acre lot and I had to cut all the large weeds and grass around the house. I must have disturbed this critter as it suddenly appeared right next to me on the patio. I was terrified, thinking it was a scorpion and screamed. A friend. who was visiting my daughter came out and smashed it with his foot. It was only until then, did he take the time and looked closely at it. He told me he was sorry he did that because it was a helpful critter who loved eating black widow spiders and scorpions. I felt so bad that the critter was smashed I gave it a decent burial, putting wild flowers on its little grave. I made a promise to myself to make sure it is a helpful bug, before killing it... read more