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

Posted by
  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...

A new species of Trachelas L. Koch, 1872 belonging to the tranquillus species group (Araneae: Trachelidae) from southern Mexico

Posted by

 


A new species of Trachelas L. Koch, 1872 belonging to the tranquillus species group (Araneae: Trachelidae) from southern Mexico

The family Trachelidae comprises 29 genera and 300 species recognized worldwide (World Spider Catalog 2025). In North America, two genera have been recorded: Meriola Banks, 1895, and Trachelas L. Koch, 1872. Trachelas is the most diverse genus within Trachelidae, with 93 species documented globally. It has been suggested that the New World representatives of this genus are not congeneric with the type species or other Old World members due to substantial somatic and genitalic differences (see Platnick & Shadab 1974a: 3 for further discussion, particularly regarding American species).

Chamé-Vázquez, D. & Chamé-Vázquez, E. R. (2025). A new species of Trachelas L. Koch, 1872 belonging to the tranquillus species group (Araneae: Trachelidae) from southern Mexico. Zootaxa 5683(2): 294-300. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.5683.2.9