Foraging behaviour of Hottentotta tumulus (Fabricius,1798) and Odontobuthus odonturus (Pocock,1897)

In the present study the foraging activities of two common scorpions i.e.,hottentotta tumulus (fabricius,1798) and odontobuthus odonturus (pocock,1897) of sargodha division,punjab,pakistan were recorded in both the laboratory and field. six different prey types were collected from the field and subjected to choice and no choice feeding experiments in the laboratory. feeding activities of both scorpion species were also recoded directly in the field. both scorpion species consumed significantly higher number of flies i.e.,musca domestica (linnaeus,1758) than other prey types (i.e.,grasshopper nymphs,grasshopper adults,lycosid spiders,moths and house crickets) during no choice feeding experiment. however,in choice feeding experiment both scorpion species preferred grasshopper nymphs. scorpions consumed only soft body parts of the larger sized prey but,consumed the whole body of small sized prey. prey consumption of both scorpion species increased with temperature. however,consumption rate of studied species was found to be negatively correlated with the humidity level. copyright 2016 zoological society of pakistan.