Baule slingshots and various arthropods

Modern glass entomological box (26×33 x6 cm), presenting various arthropods (Insects, and arachnids) around a superb Baoule (Ivory Coast) slingshot, the handle carved with two inverted anthropomorphic figures. Among these arthropods are two very large (15 and 17 cm long) emperor scorpions (Pandinus imperator) from Côte d'Ivoire. Belonging to the same class as spiders (Arachnida), scorpions also have ten legs, but the first pair is transformed into pincers, which is not the case with spiders. Contrary to popular belief, the largest scorpions, like the Imperators shown here, are quite harmless and fearful. They only attack with their skin-cutting pincers when cornered. They rarely sting, and the toxicity of their venom is in any case very low and harmless to humans. This is not the case with small scorpions, such as the undetermined African species pinned between the branches of the slingshot. Their tiny pincers are nothing to fear, but their highly toxic venomous sting can be fatal to humans, in certain small species. The huge spider on the right is a mygale: Theraphosa blondi, also known as the goliath mygale because of its giant size. Its venom, which is inoculated by the two large fangs (chelicerae) clearly visible here at the front of the head, is neurotoxic, but unlike that of smaller mygales, non-lethal to humans. This large mygale is native to French Guiana and Brazil. In the wild, it feeds on large insects, small mammals (mice) and small birds. Mygales (of which there are over 2,500 species) are also found in much smaller numbers in southern Europe, notably in Corsica, and of course in Africa, where even the smallest species have the most powerful venom. Finally, on the bottom right are three insects (a superclass belonging to the Arthropoda phylum, like spiders and scorpions), which have just six legs, clearly visible on the Dynastes rhinoceros, with its impressive horns. Two coprophagous beetle "dung beetles" are pinned on either side, forming perfectly spherical balls from the droppings of mammals. What's interesting about this box is that it presents arthropods (meaning "invertebrate with articulated legs") that are very different from one another, whether insects (always with six legs) or arachnids such as spiders or scorpions (always with ten legs). Crustaceans such as crabs, lobsters and shrimps are also arthropods. The box is new, and the arachnids (tarantulas, giant scorpions) and insects presented are in perfect condition.