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Range: which states have striped bark scorpions

What state agencies actually confirm, and what is only rumored

Last reviewed 2026-07-20 Sources 6 Read 4 min
The short version

It is the most widespread scorpion in the country, across the south-central and southwestern US.1 Agencies confirm it in Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, and Colorado, and describe the range from New Mexico east to the Mississippi River and south into northern Mexico.23

The agency-confirmed picture

Two independent agencies call it the most common or most widespread scorpion in the United States.42 The University of Arkansas describes its range as reaching from Louisiana to New Mexico and from the Central Plains into northern Mexico.2 Colorado State University places it from New Mexico east to the Mississippi River and into much of northern Mexico, with its northern edge around Interstate 70 in southeastern Colorado.3

TexasThe only scorpion found throughout the entire state, and the only species in eastern Texas.5
ArkansasThe only scorpion in the state, found statewide but most abundant in the western counties.2
MissouriThe only scorpion in the state, in the southern half and the Ozarks, favoring rocky glades.6
ColoradoWidespread across southeastern Colorado, with roughly Interstate 70 as its northern limit.3

What we do not claim

You will see longer state lists online (often a list of a dozen states) that trace back to open wikis rather than a wildlife or extension agency. Because our standard is agency confirmation, we do not present those additional states as established. Given the described range from New Mexico to the Mississippi, the species very likely occurs in several states in between, but we cite what an authoritative source states, not what is inferred.23

Bottom line for a homeowner: if you are in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Missouri, New Mexico, or the plains states in between, this scorpion is part of your local wildlife.

Sources

  1. Missouri Department of Conservation. “Striped Bark Scorpion,” MDC Field Guide. mdc.mo.gov. Accessed 2026-07-20.Backs: the most common and widely distributed US scorpion, in the south-central US and northern Mexico.
  2. University of Arkansas Arthropod Museum. “Scorpion (Centruroides vittatus).” arthropod.uark.edu. Accessed 2026-07-20.Backs: the most widespread US scorpion; range from Louisiana to New Mexico and the Central Plains into northern Mexico; only scorpion in Arkansas, most abundant in western counties.
  3. Cranshaw W, Hammon R. “Scorpions of Colorado.” Colorado State University. webdoc.agsci.colostate.edu. Accessed 2026-07-20.Backs: range from New Mexico east to the Mississippi River and into northern Mexico; northern edge near Interstate 70 in southeastern Colorado.
  4. Missouri Department of Conservation. “Striped Bark Scorpion,” MDC Field Guide. mdc.mo.gov. Accessed 2026-07-20.Backs: described as the most common US scorpion.
  5. Texas A&M AgriLife, Field Guide to Common Texas Insects. “Striped Bark Scorpion.” texasinsects.tamu.edu. Accessed 2026-07-20.Backs: the only scorpion found throughout Texas and the only species in eastern Texas.
  6. Houseman RM. “Scorpions” (G7364). University of Missouri Extension. extension.missouri.edu. Accessed 2026-07-20.Backs: the only scorpion in Missouri, in the southern half of the state and the Ozarks.
Every factual claim on this page is cited in the Sources above. This is a non-commercial reference.  ·  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.