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Is the striped bark scorpion dangerous?

The honest, sourced answer to the question everyone asks first

Danger to healthy adults: Low Last reviewed 2026-07-20 Sources 4 Read 5 min
The short answer

For most people, no. The sting is painful, but the venom is a comparatively mild neurotoxin and is rarely life-threatening.1 Texas A&M states it plainly: there are no scorpions in Texas considered lethal to humans.2

Why it is not the dangerous one

The striped bark scorpion’s venom is described by wildlife agencies as a comparatively mild neurotoxin, and its sting, while painful, is rarely serious.1 Only one scorpion in the United States is considered a genuine medical concern, the Arizona bark scorpion, and this is not it.3 In the medical literature the striped bark scorpion is the second most common cause of scorpion stings in the country, but common is not the same as dangerous.4

For context, of roughly 2,500 scorpion species worldwide, only about 25 are considered capable of a lethal sting, and the striped bark scorpion is not among them.4 There have been no reported scorpion deaths in Arizona, the epicenter of dangerous US scorpions, since 1968.4

What a sting actually does

A typical sting produces immediate local pain, and often swelling and itching that can persist for a few days.2 The pain is frequently compared to a bee or wasp sting. Sensitivity varies from person to person, so two people stung by the same kind of scorpion can have somewhat different reactions.1 Full symptom detail is on the symptoms page.

When it is more than “painful but fine”

Two situations deserve more caution. First, some people can have an allergic reaction to a sting, just as some people react to bee stings.1 Second, young children can react more severely and faster than adults.4 The genuinely severe, whole-body envenomation syndrome that scorpions are famous for is overwhelmingly associated with the Arizona bark scorpion, not this species.4

▲ Get medical help right away if
  • Breathing or swallowing becomes difficult
  • There are roving eye movements, muscle twitching, or drooling4
  • Hives or swelling spread well beyond the sting (possible allergy)1
  • The person stung is a young child

Sources

  1. Missouri Department of Conservation. “Striped Bark Scorpion,” MDC Field Guide. mdc.mo.gov. Accessed 2026-07-20.Backs: venom is a comparatively mild neurotoxin and rarely life-threatening; sensitivity varies; allergic reaction is possible.
  2. Texas A&M AgriLife, Field Guide to Common Texas Insects. “Striped Bark Scorpion (Centruroides vittatus).” texasinsects.tamu.edu. Accessed 2026-07-20.Backs: no Texas scorpions are considered lethal to humans; local swelling and itching can persist several days.
  3. University of Arizona Cooperative Extension (Community IPM). “Scorpions” (Public Health IPM). acis.cals.arizona.edu. Accessed 2026-07-20.Backs: the Arizona bark scorpion is the only scorpion of medical concern in the US.
  4. Shamoon Z, Rerolle S, Nelson JA, et al. “Scorpion Toxicity.” StatPearls, NIH/NCBI Bookshelf. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Accessed 2026-07-20.Backs: striped bark scorpion is the second most common US sting; about 25 of 2,500 species are lethal; no Arizona deaths since 1968; children react faster and more severely; severe syndrome is tied to the dangerous species.
Medical disclaimer: This page is educational and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For a severe or worsening reaction, or any sting in a young child, contact Poison Control (1-800-222-1222 in the US) or emergency services. For pets, contact a veterinarian.  ·  Last reviewed 2026-07-20.

The Scorpiologist is an independent, non-commercial reference. No products, no lead-gen, no fear-mongering.  ·  Every claim is cited on the page.  ·  Last reviewed 2026-07-20.