Efficacy of neem oil (Azadirachta indica) as an antiparasitic treatment for scorpions (Androctonus bicolor) and its impact on venom production

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  By Guy Haimovitch - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=630184 Efficacy of neem oil (Azadirachta indica) as an antiparasitic treatment for scorpions (Androctonus bicolor) and its impact on venom production Abstract Mite infestations are a recurrent welfare issue that significantly affect the health, venom production, and survival of scorpions, particularly under human care. Chemical acaricides such as permethrins and fipronil, widely used in veterinary medicine for mite and tick control, are contraindicated in scorpions. Since mites and scorpions both belong to the class Arachnida, even minimal exposure can result in severe toxicity or death. Neem oil ( Azadirachta indica ) has been widely recognized for its acaricidal, antibacterial, and antifungal properties. Its main compound, azadirachtin, interferes with mite development and reproduction, leading to reduced infestations and egg viability. This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of a 1...

First record of Micrepeira hoeferi (Araneae, Araneidae) in the state of Ceará, Brazil

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First record of Micrepeira hoeferi (Araneae, Araneidae) in the state of Ceará, Brazil

We report the first two records of Micrepeira hoeferi Levi, 1995 from the state of Ceará, Brazil. These records are based on the collection of 19 specimens from two nearby montane, semi-deciduous tropical forests located in the municipalities of Pacoti and Baturité. The specimens were deposited as voucher material in the Natural History Collection of the Federal University of Piauí. This report also represents the highest elevation at which M. hoeferi has been recorded (738 m a.s.l.), suggesting that the species is highly adaptable to a range of habitats.

Reportamos los dos primeros registros de Micrepeira hoeferi Levi, 1995 en el estado de Ceará, Brasil. Estos registros se basan en la captura de 19 especímenes en dos bosques tropicales semideciduos montanos ubicados en Pacoti y Baturité. Los individuos fueron depositados como material de referencia en la Universidad Federal de Piauí. Este reporte representa la mayor altitud a la que se ha registrado Micrepeira hoeferi (738 m s. n. m.), lo que sugiere que la especie posee una gran capacidad de adaptación a diversos hábitats.

Morales, J. (2025) “First record of Micrepeira hoeferi (Araneae, Araneidae) in the state of Ceará, Brazil”, Biota Colombiana, 26, p. e1265. doi: 10.21068/26193124.1265.