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Comparative Study
. 2018 Jul 1;18(4):19.
doi: 10.1093/jisesa/iey081.

Effect of Milking Method, Diet, and Temperature on Venom Production in Scorpions

Saadia Tobassum  1 , Hafiz Muhammad Tahir  1 , Muhammad Tariq Zahid  1 , Qurratulann Afza Gardner  2 , Muhammad Mohsin Ahsan  3
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Effect of Milking Method, Diet, and Temperature on Venom Production in Scorpions

Saadia Tobassum et al. J Insect Sci. .

Abstract

In the present study, two common buthid scorpions, i.e., Androctonus finitimus (Pocock, 1897) (Scorpiones: Buthidae) and Hottentota tamulus (Fabricus, 1798) (Scorpiones: Buthidae), were maintained in the laboratory for venom recovery. The aim of study was to compare the quantity and quality of venom extracted from scorpions by manual and electrical method. We also recorded the effect of diet and temperature on venom production. Results of our study revealed that electrical method yielded good quality and higher quantity of venom as compared to manual method. The quantity of venom by two studied species differed statistically. We recorded the effect of food on venom production by providing different prey items to the scorpions and found that grasshopper nymphs and adults were the best diet for the scorpions to get maximum yield of venom as compared to other prey types (house crickets, house flies, and moths). Production of venom and activity of scorpions was found to be associated with temperature. During winter season, venom recovery was comparatively low as compared to the hottest part of year; when venom milking and activity of scorpions both were increased.

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Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
Plastic box used to keep collected scorpions. Each box was layered with sand and covered with a lid containing holes for proper aeration.
Fig. 2.
Fig. 2.
Young ones resided on the back of female scorpion.
Fig. 3.
Fig. 3.
Scorpion feeding on live grasshoppers.
Fig. 4.
Fig. 4.
Methods of venom milking in scorpions: (A) manual method and (B) electrical method.
Fig. 5.
Fig. 5.
MALDI-TOF MS of venom extracted by manual and electrical method in A. finitimus: (A) manual method and (B) electrical method.
Fig. 6.
Fig. 6.
MALDI-TOF MS of venom extracted by manual and electrical method in H. tamulus: (A) manual method and (B) electrical method.
Fig. 7.
Fig. 7.
Comparison of venom production by manual and electrical method in A. finitimus and H. tamulus. * indicate that venom milking was significantly high (P < 0.01).
Fig. 8.
Fig. 8.
Decrease in venom production after consecutive extractions (A) A. finitimus, (B) H. tamulus.
Fig. 9.
Fig. 9.
Amount of venom (µl) extracted from experimental groups after giving specific food to each group in A. finitimus (A) and H. tamulus (B). In the figure bar having different alphabets shows significant difference.
Fig. 10.
Fig. 10.
Effect of temperature of different months on venom production of A. finitimus by electrical stimulation.
Fig. 11.
Fig. 11.
Effect of temperature of different months on venom production of H. tamulus by electrical stimulation.
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