Tityus stigmurus (Thorell, 1876) (Scorpiones; Buthidae): response to chemical control and understanding of scorpionism among the population.
In this study, the events following application of the insecticide Demand 2.5 concentrated solution (CS) in the field, to control Tityus stigmurus, were investigated. Data on attitudes and practices relating to scorpionism were collected using a questionnaire. During the months of May to July 2005, 69 premises were monitored on different days following insecticide treatment, focusing on scorpion frequency and mortality. According to the results, 42% of the premises showed scorpion incidence, with an average of three specimens per house. The highest incidence was recorded during the first week following the treatment. Only 7% of the specimens were found dead. Most (72%) of the population showed knowledge about prevention and control measures. Despite this, 100% of the premises presented breeding sites, mainly in debris (79.7%). These results indicate that the scorpion control method used by health agents during this investigation was not efficient, and the results suggest that the method may have had a dispersive effect on these animals.
Albuquerque
Cleide Maria Ribeiro de
CM
Laboratory of Terrestrial Invertebrate, Department of Zoology, Center of Biological Science, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil. cleide.ufpe@gmail.com
Barbosa
Marcilania Oliveira
MO
Iannuzzi
Luciana
L
D000818:Animals; D001938:Brazil; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006798:Housing; D006801:Humans; D007306:Insecticides; D010571:Pest Control / Q000379:methods*; D011156:Population Density; D011722:Pyrethrins; D012605:Scorpions; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors
D007306:Insecticides; D011722:Pyrethrins