Spider venom peptides Ht1a and Gg1a are toxic to honeybee parasite Varroa destructor by topical application

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  Spider venom peptides Ht1a and Gg1a are toxic to honeybee parasite Varroa destructor by topical application Abstract Global food supply strongly depends on honeybee pollination services, which are threatened by insecticides and pests such as parasitic Varroa destructor mites. Chemical varroacides/acaricides are hampered by resistance development, necessitating the development of sustainable and environmentally friendly alternatives, with arthropod venom peptides being considered promising sources of acaricidal toxins. With only a few acaricidal venom peptides being reported, we performed a systematic topical screening of 50 arthropod venoms against V. destructor , with 78% of the venoms causing 100% mortality after 24 h. Deconvolution of the venoms from the Tasmanian cave spider Hickmania troglodytes and the Giant Japanese funnel-web spider Gigathele gigas led to identification of the varroacidal peptides Ht1a and Gg1a. Topical application of Ht1a and Gg1a reduced varroa mite ...

Scorpion fauna of urban Delhi, India

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Scorpion fauna of urban Delhi, India

Abstract

Delhi, one of the world’s most populous cities, hosts a diverse array of urban habitats amidst its limited green cover. Scorpions, distinguished by their venomous stings and ancient lineage, thrive in Delhi’s semi-arid climate. Despite their ecological significance, studies on scorpion diversity in urban environments remain scarce. This study aimed to address this gap by conducting the first systematic assessment of scorpion diversity in Delhi. Field surveys were conducted during both day and night to collect specimens, which were then identified using established taxonomic keys. Four scorpion species from two families were recorded, including Chersonesometrus fulvipes, Isometrus maculatus, Compsobuthus rugosulus, and Lychas cf. biharensis. The semi-arid climate of Delhi, within the Punjab plains biogeographic province, provides a conducive environment for scorpion species to inhabit. This study serves as a preliminary assessment of scorpion diversity in Delhi and underscores the need for further dedicated surveys to comprehensively understand their distribution and ecology in the region.

Barhadiya, G., Pandey, P., Sultana, A., Mohapatra, P. P., & Das, S. K. (2025). Scorpion fauna of urban Delhi, India. Records of the Zoological Survey of India, 125(1), 57–62. https://doi.org/10.26515/rzsi/v125/i1/2025/172690