A Remarkable Discovery: Exploring a Rare Eresus and Spider Wasp Interaction

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  Photo Credit: © Antonino Rametta . All photographs are used with permission. No part of these images may be reproduced, distributed, or used in any form without the prior written permission of the photographer. A Remarkable Discovery: Exploring a Rare Eresus and Spider Wasp Interaction One of the most rewarding aspects of maintaining Arácnido Taxonomy is hearing from naturalists and photographers around the world who take the time to share their discoveries. Every so often, an email arrives that immediately captures your attention. Not because it claims to rewrite what we know about biodiversity, but because it documents something that very few people have the opportunity to witness. Recently, I was contacted by a naturalist in Sicily who shared a series of exceptionally high-quality photographs of a female ladybird spider ( Eresus ) during what appeared to be an interaction with a spider wasp. Along with the images came a simple question: "Could this be scientifically import...

Clinical Manifestations and Management of Androctonus bicolor Envenomation in a Dog: A Previously Undescribed Clinical Case

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Clinical Manifestations and Management of Androctonus bicolor Envenomation in a Dog: A Previously Undescribed Clinical Case

Abstract

The black fat tailed scorpion (Androctonus bicolor) is one of the most venomous native scorpion species in Israel. Its venom induces widespread autonomic overstimulation, resulting in severe cardiovascular, respiratory, and neuromuscular manifestations. Veterinary scorpion envenomation reports are scarce, and Canine Androctonus bicolor envenomation remains undocumented in the literature. A 10-year-old male dog was presented three hrs. following a witnessed Androctonus bicolor envenomation. Immediate clinical signs included dyspnea, hypersalivation, and collapse. The scorpion was identified by the Israeli Nature and Parks Authority. On presentation, the dog was non-ambulatory, and tachypneic. A small puncture wound was observed over the right hind paw. Immediate treatment included analgesia, antihistamine, and intravenous fluids. The dog developed nystagmus, muscle spasms, and generalized hypertonicity with tachycardia and high systolic blood pressure. Midazolam and phenobarbital were required to achieve muscle relaxation. Three days post admission the dog presented marked clinical improvement and was discharged, however, five days after discharge, the dog was re-presented with tremors, inappetence, hematochezia, hyperthermia, mild tachycardia with occasional ventricular premature complexes, and labored breathing. Bloodwork revealed an elevated C-reactive protein concentration and mild increased pancreatic lipase activity, consistent with systemic inflammation and mild pancreatitis. Supportive therapy was instituted, and clinical improvement was observed within 24 hours from the second admission. The dog was discharged and remained well. This is the first documented case of Androctonus bicolor envenomation in a dog. It highlights the prominent neurological and autonomic manifestations associated with this species in a canine patient, and importantly, identifies concurrent pancreatitis as a newly recognized potential sequela in veterinary patients.
Hefer, S., Weingram, T., & Klainbart, S. (2026). Clinical Manifestations and Management of Androctonus bicolor Envenomation in a Dog: A Previously Undescribed Clinical Case. Toxicon, 109188. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxicon.2026.109188