Intraguild Interactions Between the Predatory Mites Neoseiulus californicus and Phytoseiulus persimilis

Abstract

Species at the same trophic level may interact through competition for food, but can also interact through intraguild predation. Intraguild predation is widespread at the second and third trophic level and the effects may cascade down to the plant level. The effects of intraguild predation can be modified by antipredator behaviour in the intraguild prey. We studied intraguild predation and antipredator behaviour in two species of predatory mite, Neoseiulus californicus and Phytoseiulus persimilis, which are both used for control of the two-spotted spider mite in greenhouse and outdoor crops. Using a Y-tube olfactometer, we assessed in particular whether each of the two predators avoids odours emanating from prey patches occupied by the heterospecific predator. Furthermore, we measured the occurrence and rate of intraguild predation of different developmental stages of P. persimilis and N. californicus on bean leaves in absence or in presence of the shared prey. Neither of the two predator species avoided prey patches with the heterospecific competitor, both when inexperienced with the other predator and when experienced with prey patches occupied by the heterospecific predator. Intraguild experiments showed that N. californicus is a potential intraguild predator of P. persimilis. However, P. persimilis did not suffer much from intraguild predation as long as the shared prey was present. This is probably because N. californicus prefers to feed on two-spotted spider mites rather than on its intraguild prey.

Attraction responses of ladybird beetle Hippodamia variegata (Goeze, 1777) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) to single and binary mixture of synthetic herbivore-induced plant volatiles in laboratory tests

“…The behavior of each individual was observed for a maximum of 5 min. Adults that did not choose one of the side arms within 5 min were recorded as having made no choice and excluded from the statistical analysis (Takabayashi & Dicke, 1992;Cakmak et al, 2006). All olfactometer experiments for each HIPV alone and their blends were carried out on three different days.…”

Olfactory response of Sancassania polyphyllae (Acari: Acaridae) to its phoretic host larva killed by the entomopathogenic nematode, Steinernema glaseri (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae)

“…Experiments were conducted with a modified Y-tube olfactometer (Sabelis and van de Baan, 1983;Janssen et al, 1997;Cakmak et al, 2006). The olfactometer consisted of a glass tube in the form of a Y (diameter 2 cm, each arm of Y-tube 5 cm).…”

Drones: Innovative Technology for Use in Precision Pest Management

“…For example, the predatory mite Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot (Acari: Phytoseiidae), an important natural enemy of the worldwide pest two-spotted spider mite, is available in bottles mixed with the mineral substrate vermiculite, and the recommended way of dispersal is by sprinkling contents onto individual plants (e.g., Koppert 2017a, Biobest 2018. Phytoseiulus persimilis has such a high level of specialization that populations succumb when no prey is present (McMurtry and Croft 1997, Cakmak et al 2006, Gerson and Weintraub 2007, Dara 2014. Various mechanical distribution systems have been developed to facilitate predator dispersal, such as the Mini-Airbug, a handheld appliance with a fan (Koppert 2017b), as well as other devices (Giles et al 1995, Casey and Parrella 2005, Opit et al 2005.…”