Virtually all lethal species belong to the Buthidae family. These animals are found primarily but not exclusively in dry areas. Not all species are found everywhere. Thus, Androctonus is a problem in many Maghreb countries, while Leiurus primarily poses problems in the Middle East. In South Africa, species belonging to the genus Parabuthus regularly cause difficulties. In Mexico Centruroides sp. are feared, while in South America Tityus species are notorious. In the Buthidae family, the medically important and dangerous genera have the following distribution:

The most important species are

• Buthotus tamulus
• Leiurus quinquestriatus
• Androctonus crassicauda (and A. australis)
• Tityus serrulatus
• Centruroides suffusus