Chemical control remains a major management tool in limiting indoor infestations of scorpions in urban areas. However, information about the overall behavioural responses of these animals upon contact with insecticides, due to their neurotoxicological effects remains unclear. This study describes a set of stereotyped behaviours in Tityus stigmurus following exposure to a synthetic pyrethroid Type-1 (bifenthrin 20% w/v). We also investigated whether juvenile scorpions were more responsive than adults, if scorpions would be able to recognize and avoid the treated areas, and possible symptom reversibility. Animals were exposed to environments with and without pyrethroid treatment and their general behavioural changes, alteration in locomotion, and variation in motor activity were compared. Comb, chelicerae, and pedipalp cleaning following contact with treated surface suggests recognition of the insecticide; however, only juvenile individuals evaded treated areas. The main symptom of pre-intoxication was the reduction of mobility, followed by the release of a mucous substance through the chelicerae. Alterations in locomotion and motor activity were the most common behaviours during the intoxication phase, indicating the pyrethroid’s neurotoxic effects, although these alterations were mostly reversible, particularly in adults. These results provide the underlying neurotoxic response of the urban scorpion T. stigmurus to bifenthrin, showing an age-specific tolerance and reversibility of toxic symptoms. Thus, for generalizations about the use of insecticides in combating scorpions, it is essential to understand the direct and indirect effects of the product on these animals.

中文翻译：

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暴露于拟除虫菊酯类杀虫剂中的Tityus stigmurus（Thorell，1876）（SCORPIONES：BUTHIDAE）的行为变化

在限制城市地区蝎子在室内的侵扰方面，化学控制仍然是主要的管理工具。但是，由于它们的神经毒性作用，有关这些动物接触杀虫剂的总体行为反应的信息仍不清楚。这项研究描述了一组Tityus stigmurus中的定型行为暴露于合成拟除虫菊酯1型（联苯菊酯20％w / v）后。我们还调查了青少年蝎子是否比成人更敏感，如果蝎子能够识别并避开受治疗的区域，以及可能的症状可逆性。将动物暴露于经过或未经过拟除虫菊酯处理的环境中，并对它们的一般行为变化，运动变化和运动活动变化进行了比较。与处理过的表面接触后，用梳子，鞭毛虫和pedipalp清洗表明已识别出该杀虫剂。但是，只有少年人逃脱了治疗区。前中毒的主要症状是活动性降低，随后黏液物质通过鞭毛而释放。运动和运动活动的改变是中毒阶段最常见的行为，表明拟除虫菊酯具有神经毒性作用，尽管这些改变大部分是可逆的，尤其是在成年人中。这些结果提供了城市蝎子潜在的神经毒性反应。T. tigtigus对联苯菊酯，显示出特定年龄的耐受性和毒性症状的可逆性。因此，为了概括使用杀虫剂与蝎子作斗争，必须了解产品对这些动物的直接和间接作用。