Decentralized Entomology Lab

East Mojave Preserve -- Preparing for a day of hunting insects. Interesting how some of us choose to spend a weekend.

Desert Hairy Scorpion

Hey, I didn't name it, they did. The Latin (scientific) name, hadrurus arizonensis, means "belonging to Arizona" but these predatory, and dangerous, creepy crawlers inhabit the California deserts as well--and they come out at night!

The photo above is not enhanced; I took it at 10:30 PM in the East Mojave with a black light. That's right, scorpions glow in the dark using a simple, hand-held UV flash light.

Under a canopy of a million stars, our group searched the balmy desert floor searching for the turquoise glow of the scorpion. As we held the black light close to this particular specimen, insects attracted to the purple light provided a feast for the scorpion. During this viewing, a curious moth flew near the scorpion, and it snatched the moth with it's pincer, aimed his tail-stinger at the moth and injected it with a lethal dose of venom, paralyzing it. Then we watched the scorpion enjoy its meal in fascination.

Mineral Pool with a View

East Mojave Desert -- Luxury desert spas have been around for a long time. Some are more well-appointed than others. This one, however, is a bit frugal to say the least. Built in the 1940s, the cross-shaped pool was part of the Zzyzx Mineral Springs and Health Spa and is now filled upon request.