BYOO-thih-dee; BYOO-thid (buthid) scorpions
a single genus in our area; ~940 spp. in 56 genera total(1)
(the largest scorpion family)
The family Buthidae is easily recognized by the almost triangular sternum. The sternum is located on the underside just before the pectines (combs).
in warm climates on all continents except Antarctica
Of the known 25 (or so) species of dangerous scorpions, only one (Hemiscorpius lepturus, Hemiscorpiidae) is NOT in this family. Dangerous buthids are in the genera Centruroides (North America and Mexico), Tityus (South America), and Androctonus; in the Old World, Parabuthus, Leiurus, Mesobuthus, and Hottentotta. Oddly, with all the venomous animals in Australia, none of the buthids there is known to be dangerous.