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1 April 2010 Optimal sting use in the feeding behavior of the scorpion Hadrurus spadix
Martin C. Edmunds, Richard M. Sibly
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Abstract

Since venom is costly to produce and stinging is not obligatory in prey capture for scorpions, the need to optimize use of resources suggests that venom should be reserved for prey that cannot otherwise be overpowered, (i.e., larger and/or more active prey). In accordance with these predictions, sting use by Hadrurus spadix Stahnke 1940 increased with prey size, reaching 100% once prey items were longer than the scorpion's pedipalp patella length, and with prey activity, which we manipulated by varying prey temperature. Surprisingly, the scorpions were slower to capture less active (cooler) prey than those that exhibited higher rates of activity. We suggest this is because prey are located by vibrations in the substrate, with less active prey producing fewer vibrations.

Martin C. Edmunds and Richard M. Sibly "Optimal sting use in the feeding behavior of the scorpion Hadrurus spadix," The Journal of Arachnology 38(1), 123-125, (1 April 2010). https://doi.org/10.1636/Hi09-38.1
Received: 14 April 2009; Published: 1 April 2010
KEYWORDS
optimal foraging
Pectines
venom
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