Evaluation of Targeted Injections of Ivermectin or Potassium Chloride for Euthanasia of Anesthetized Thorny Devil Stick Insects (Eurycantha calcarata)

Insects are commonly utilized in biomedical research and have become increasingly popular museum collections as pets. Despite this, objective evaluation of insect euthanasia is scarce. This study investigated the effectiveness targeted injections ivermectin or potassium chloride (KCl) for anesthetized thorny devil stick insects (Eurycantha calcarata). Ten clinically healthy mature (six males, four females) were enrolled. weighed via exposure to a cotton ball soaked with 1.6 mL liquid isoflurane 1 L sealed chamber until loss righting reflex response stimulation (induction). then received one three treatments: 100 mg/kg (n = 4), KCl 200 mEq/kg 0.9% sodium mL/kg 2) injected along ventral thoracic midline between first leg plate caudal adjacent plate. Following injection, serially monitored return spontaneous movement reflex. Death was defined absence 48 h. Median (range) induction time concentration at 36 (22–39) min 9) 22 (19–22)%, respectively. Euthanasia successful 4/4, 3/4, 0/2 isoflurane-anesthetized receiving ivermectin, KCl, chloride, Recovery prolonged 10.5 (sodium female), 11.0 (KCl male), 18.0 male) hours. prospective investigation adult E. calcarata. In this preliminary study, injection effective insects.