Combined versus Single Species Release of Predaceous Mites: Predator–Predator Interactions and Pest Suppression

Interspecific Interaction Between Phytoseiulus macropilis and Neoseiulus californicus (Acari: Phytoseiidae) Preying on Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae) on Rosebush Growing in Greenhouse

“…Thus, although the density of pest mites on the plants in control treatment was high, the pest density was likely underestimated because leaves were collected from all parts of the plants and not only from the most affected regions. After the release of N. californicus, P. persimilis, and N. californicus + P. persimilis on gerbera (Gerbera spp., Asteraceae) growing in a greenhouse, each species of predatory mite individually decreased the population of Tetranychus cinnabarinus (Boisduval, 1867) (Acari: Tetranychidae) to zero [27]. In the present study, a similar result was also observed for N. californicus and P. macropilis on T. urticae on rosebushes.…”

“…In the present study, a similar result was also observed for N. californicus and P. macropilis on T. urticae on rosebushes. When generalist and specialist predatory mites are released in combination, intraspecific and interspecific competition occurs, leading researchers to conclude that only one predatory mite species must be released at a time, with each predatory mite considered separately before selection [27]. However, in the present study, releasing both predatory mite species in combination was as viable as the individual release of only one of the species.…”

“…Although the individual release of P. persimilis is a favorable strategy for the immediate control of T. cinnabarinus in the greenhouse [27] [28], the long-term control of pest mites was improved by the sequential or combined release of N. californicus and P. persimilis, which is also valid for the control of T. urticae [29]. When an alternative food is available, e.g., pollen, N. californicus can be released to persist before the occurrence of pest mites or, in the absence of an alternative food, can be released as soon as the pest is detected.…”

Multiple natural enemies do not improve two spotted spider mite and flower western thrips control in strawberry tunnels

“…We found no significant differences when multiple predatory species were released to control TSSM numbers when compared with the release of P. persimilis alone. Schausberger and Walzer (2001) reported a similar situation with P. persimilis and N. californicus when released to control of Tetranychus cinnabarinus Boisduval on gerbera plants, and Cakmak et al (2009) found that the control of this species on strawberries was not improved when these two species were released together. TSSM suppression varied among crop phases being proportionally greater in the early crop phase in both years.…”

Managing biotic interactions for ecological intensification of agroecosystems

“…For example, complementarity between predators and niche partitioning is often suggested as an explanation of the higher success of a diversity of predators on resource consumption (e.g., Northfield et al, 2010) and, by extension, pest control. However, increasing the diversity of predators may increase the frequency of intraguild predator species and, therefore, diminish the effectiveness of pest control through predator-predator interactions (e.g., Schausberger and Walzer, 2001). Furthermore, although increasing plant diversity can be translated into better pest control, it is often less effective than intensive chemical treatment (e.g., Brown, 2012), leading to a significant decrease in the overall crop yields (Letourneau et al, 2011).…”