:: climateScorpions on the march as Britain warms up

Something not altogether pleasant is stirring in the undergrowth of Britain's insect world. European scorpions, who have set up colonies near ports in the South-east, are creeping outwards, says the Natural History Museum. Several London sightings of these nocturnal creatures this summer suggest they are beginning to imitate other exotic insects who have benefited from milder winters and expanded their UK range.

These include the tube web spider, the wasp spider and the false widow, now Britain's most venomous spider. DR

Copyright c 2007 Independent Newspapers UK Limited. All rights owned or operated by The Independent.
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved.