News Animals

The first known scorpion to live with ants carries mini hitchhikers

Pseudoscorpions may use the scorpion’s relationship with ants to their advantage

A photograph of a pseudoscorpion (Nannowithius wahrmani) hitching a ride on the back of a scorpion (Birulatus israelensis).

A pseudoscorpion (Nannowithius wahrmani) hitches a ride on the back of a scorpion (Birulatus israelensis), possibly to infiltrate and feed on other tiny animals within ant nests.

S. Aharon

By Jake Buehler

In the middle of an April night in Israel’s Jordan Valley, Yoram Zvik sweeps a UV light over the dark ground near throngs of marching ants.