Susceptibility of dangerous scorpions of Hormozgan province to WHO recommended insecticides

Introduction: Hormozgan province is the second most important foci of scorpion stinging specially by Hemiscorpius lepturus. Currently chemical control is the most efficient way and susceptibility level of important vectors should be chequed to find their resistance to some chemicals. Our aim was to investigate on the susceptibility or resistance of the most dangerous scorpions of Hormozgan province to the WHO recommended insecticides. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 843 specimens of Scorpio were captured. Susceptibility tests were achieved using the method of Cockroaches, susceptibility. Each dose of insecticides was tested in two replicates and killing dose of each specimen was calculated. Results: Killing dose of Cypermethrin (EC 2.5%) was 0.001 μl/cm2 for Mesobuthus eupeus, H. lepturus and Odontobuthus doriae and was 0.009 μl/cm2 for Androctonus crassicauda. That dose was calculated as 0.001 and 0.0003 μl/cm2 for M. eupeus and H. lepturus, respectively, for Deltamethrin (EC 2.5 %). All species were killed at dose of 0.39 mg/cm2 for Carbaryl (WP 85%). None of Lindane doses (WP 25%) could make 100% mortality in all species. Mortal dose of Malathion (EC 57%) was 1.029 μl/cm2 for A. crassicauda and H. lepturus and 0.284 μl/cm2, and 0.515 μl/cm2 for M. eupeus and O. doriae, respectively. Conclusion: The studied scorpion species were susceptible to the Pyrethroids. These insecticides can be used in an “Integrated Vector Management” program to control Malaria and scorpions. These species probably are resistance to Malathion and Lindane.