Assay of insecticidal activity of venom from Hottentotta Saulcyi scorpion against Sesamia nonagrioides (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Larvae

Polyphagous Sesamia nonagrioides (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) are mentioned a major insect pests of sugarcane in Iran. In the present study, due to scorpion venom biological properties and proteinaceous nature, it has been considered as a control agent in the biological pest management. The scorpion venom from Hottentotta Saulcyi was evaluated for its larval insecticidal activity against Sesamia nonagrioides.Scorpion venom was collected and diluted with phosphate buffered saline to different concentrations. Venoms were injected into the larvae at five doses (0.15µl, 0.35µl, 0.5µl, 0.75µl and 1µl; fifteen larvae per each dose) and the doses causing death were recorded during the experiment. Throughout the assay, no dilution was performed on the concentration of 1µl. This study demonstrated that Hottentotta Saulcyi venom was able to cause external symptoms that eventually led to death of the intoxicated larvae. The scorpion venom causes locomotive paralysis and then death in all larvae injected by high doses of scorpion venom (1µl and 0.75µl).

Keywords:

Hottentotta Saulcyi , Sesamia nonagrioides , mortality , biological pest management