Introduction of the scorpion Centruroides exilicauda into California and its public health significance.

The bark scorpion, Centruroides exilicauda, formerly C. sculpturatus, is a native of Arizona and adjacent parts of New Mexico in the United States, and Baja California and Sonora in Mexico. A few specimens have been captured on the California side of the Colorado River. The general biology of this scorpion is discussed and the introduction of the arthropod into three California counties, probably in trailer paraphernalia and dune buggies, is described. Four probable stings by C. exilicauda in California and their public health significance are presented.