RT Journal Article
T1 Efficacy of neem oil (Azadirachta indica) as an antiparasitic treatment for scorpions (Androctonus bicolor) and its impact on venom production
A1 Planas, Javier
A1 Moraleda-Berral, Pablo
A1 Checa Herráiz, Rocío
A1 Mundanatt, Vishudha
A1 Zahra, Fathima
A1 Salah, Mohamed
A1 Bande, Benjamin
A1 Sonavane, Medha
A1 Siyam, Manal
AB 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% neem oil spray for controlling Pimeliaphilus spp. mites in forty adult Androctonus bicolor (A. bicolor) maintained for venom production. Neem oil was applied every 72 h for five sessions. Mite counts, egg viability, clinical tolerance, and venom productivity were assessed. Mite loads decreased progressively, reaching complete elimination by the fifth treatment, with no new mites detected during the subsequent 60 days. No mortality, irritation, or cuticular lesions were observed. Post-treatment venom extraction at six weeks, based on pooled venom, showed increases of 10% in liquid volume, 50% in dry mass, and 36.5% in protein concentration compared with pre-treatment values. These results demonstrate that 1% neem oil provides an effective, safe, sustainable and low-cost acaricidal option for scorpions under human care, with benefits for venom yield and animal welfare
PB Elsevier
SN 0304-4017
YR 2026
FD 2026
LK https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/134933
UL https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/134933
LA eng
NO Planas, J., Moraleda-Berral, P., Checa, R., Mundanatt, V., Zahra, F., Salah, M., Bande, B., Sonavane, M., & Siyam, M. (2026). Efficacy of neem oil (Azadirachta indica) as an antiparasitic treatment for scorpions (Androctonus bicolor) and its impact on venom production. Veterinary Parasitology, 344, 110748. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2026.110748
NO Credit authorship contribution statementJavier Planas: Writing – original draft. Rocio Checa: Investigation. Pablo Moraleda-Berral: Supervision. Benjamin Bande: Supervision. Mohamed Salah: Investigation. Fathima Zahra: Investigation. Mundanatt Vishudha: Investigation. Manal Siyam: Supervision, Investigation. Medha Sonavane: Resources
DS Docta Complutense
RD 27 abr 2026