scholarly journals Delayed mite hatching in response to mechanical stimuli simulating egg predation attempts

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaoru Fukuse ◽  
Shuichi Yano
Keyword(s):  
Predation Risk ◽  
Predatory Mites ◽  
Predatory Mite ◽  
Aquatic Systems ◽  
Mechanical Stimuli ◽  
Egg Predation ◽  
Neoseiulus Womersleyi ◽  
Proximate Factor ◽  
Delayed Hatching ◽  
Gravity Direction

Abstract Delayed or induced hatching in response to predation risk has been reported mainly in aquatic systems, where waterborne cues from predators and injured neighbouring eggs are available. Newly emerged larvae of the terrestrial predatory mite Neoseiulus womersleyi are vulnerable to predation by con- and heterospecific predatory mites, whereas their eggs are not. We examined whether N. womersleyi embryos delay hatching in response to artificial mechanical stimuli that simulates egg predation attempts. When embryos near the hatching stage were artificially stimulated every 5 min for 60 min, most stopped hatching for the duration of the 60-min period, whereas unstimulated embryos did not. Stimulated embryos resumed hatching when the treatment was stopped, and the proportion of hatched stimulated embryos caught up with that of unstimulated embryos within 120 min after stimuli stopped. Since hatching did not stop in response to changes in gravity direction, the effect of direct mechanical stimuli on the eggs was considered a proximate factor in delayed hatching. These results suggest that N. womersleyi embryos recognise immediate predation risk via mechanical stimuli, and delay hatching until the predation risk is reduced.

What habitat does spiny snout mite occupy in Tasmania

2015 ◽  
Vol 68 ◽  
pp. 446-446
Author(s):  
D.J. Wilson ◽  
P.J. Gerard
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Sand Dune ◽  
Biocontrol Agent ◽  
Predatory Mites ◽  
Mite Species ◽  
Predatory Mite ◽  
Habitat Specificity ◽  
Nontarget Organisms ◽  
Flea Control ◽  
Potential Biocontrol Agent

Spiny snout mite (Neomolgus capillatus) is a potential biocontrol agent for clover flea (Sminthurus viridis) a white clover pest on dairy farms in warmer and wetter parts of New Zealand In the 1990s this mite was introduced from Brittany France into Tasmania for clover flea control Results during the release programme were highly promising and subsequent anecdotal farmer reports indicate widespread decreases in damage As N capillatus is a predatory mite and already known to attack nontarget organisms habitat specificity will determine whether it could be introduced into New Zealand without risk to native insects To assess this pastures on nine of the original Tasmanian release farms and adjacent nontarget habitats ranging from bush wetlands eucalypt stands to sand dune country were sampled in April 2014 Litter samples were collected heat extracted and mite species identified Neomolgus capillatus was found at effective densities in pastures that had good clover cover Where present it displaced Bdellodes spp mites that are ineffective against clover flea No N capillatus were found in the nontarget habitats all of which lacked clover and contained other predatory mites including Bdellodes spp Therefore the preference by N capillatus for lush pastures makes it an excellent prospect for introduction as a biocontrol agent into clover flea prone regions of New Zealand

scholarly journals Benefit-cost Trade-offs of Early Learning in Foraging Predatory Mites Amblyseius Swirskii

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Inga C. Christiansen ◽  
Sandra Szin ◽  
Peter Schausberger
Keyword(s):  
Early Life ◽  
Biocontrol Agent ◽  
Early Learning ◽  
Predatory Mites ◽  
Predatory Mite ◽  
Amblyseius Swirskii ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Fitness Benefits ◽  
Benefit Cost ◽  
Juvenile Development

Abstract Learning is changed behavior following experience, and ubiquitous in animals including plant-inhabiting predatory mites (Phytoseiidae). Learning has many benefits but also incurs costs, which are only poorly understood. Here, we addressed learning, especially its costs, in the generalist predatory mite Amblyseius swirskii, a biocontrol agent of several herbivores, which can also survive on pollen. The goals of our research were (1) to scrutinize if A. swirskii is able to learn during early life in foraging contexts and, if so, (2) to determine the costs of early learning. In the experiments, we used one difficult-to-grasp prey, i.e., thrips, and one easy-to-grasp prey, i.e., spider mites. Our experiments show that A. swirskii is able to learn during early life. Adult predators attacked prey experienced early in life (i.e., matching prey) more quickly than they attacked unknown (i.e., non-matching) prey. Furthermore, we observed both fitness benefits and operating (physiological) costs of early learning. Predators receiving the matching prey produced the most eggs, whereas predators receiving the non-matching prey produced the least. Thrips-experienced predators needed the longest for juvenile development. Our findings may be used to enhance A. swirskii’s efficacy in biological control, by priming young predators on a specific prey early in life.

scholarly journals The cost of safety: Refuges increase the impact of predation risk in aquatic systems

Ecology ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 94 (3) ◽  
pp. 573-579 ◽  
Author(s):  
John L. Orrock ◽  
Evan L. Preisser ◽  
Jonathan H. Grabowski ◽  
Geoffrey C. Trussell
Keyword(s):  
Predation Risk ◽  
Aquatic Systems ◽  
The Cost ◽  
The Impact

scholarly journals Reproductive parameters of Phytoseiulus macropilis (Banks) fed with Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Phytoseiidae, Tetranychidae) in laboratory

2017 ◽  
Vol 77 (1) ◽  
pp. 162-169 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. C. Souza-Pimentel ◽  
P. R. Reis ◽  
C. R. Bonatto ◽  
J. P. Alves ◽  
M. F. Siqueira
Keyword(s):  
Tetranychus Urticae ◽  
Generation Time ◽  
Economic Value ◽  
Predatory Mites ◽  
Predatory Mite ◽  
Reproductive Parameters ◽  
Important Species ◽  
Phytoseiulus Macropilis ◽  
Biological Aspects ◽  
Tetranychus Urticae Koch

Abstract Predatory mites that belong to the Phytoseiidae family are one of the main natural enemies of phytophagous mites, thus allowing for their use as a biological control. Phytoseiulus macropilis (Banks, 1904) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) is among the main species of predatory mites used for this purpose. Tetranychus urticae Koch, 1836 (Acari: Tetranychidae) is considered to be one of the most important species of mite pests and has been described as attacking over 1,100 species of plants in 140 families with economic value. The objective of the present study was to investigate, in the laboratory, the reproductive parameters of the predatory mite P. macropilis when fed T. urticae. Experiments were conducted under laboratory conditions at 25 ± 2 °C of temperature, 70 ± 10% RH and 14 hours of photophase. In addition, biological aspects were evaluated and a fertility life table was established. The results of these experiments demonstrated that the longevity of adult female was 27.5 days and adult male was 29.0 days. The population was estimated to increase approximately 27 times (Ro) in mean generation time (T), which was 17.7 days. Lastly, the mite population grew 1.2 times/day (λ) and doubled every 3.7 days (TD).

Diverse non-crop vegetation assemblages as banker plants for predatory mites in strawberry crop

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Fernando Teruhiko Hata ◽  
Pedro Henrique Togni ◽  
Maurício Ursi Ventura ◽  
José Eduardo Poloni da Silva ◽  
Nilson Zacarias Ferreira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Predatory Mites ◽  
Predatory Mite ◽  
Plant Composition ◽  
Field Crops ◽  
Banker Plant ◽  
Solanum Americanum ◽  
Leonurus Sibiricus ◽  
Plant Inventory ◽  
Diverse Plant

Abstract Non-crop plant diversity plays a fundamental role in the conservation of predatory mite (PM) and can be proposed as a banker plant system (BPS). BPSs provide plants that host natural enemies in greenhouses or field crops and may improve the efficiency of biological control. The aim of this study was to investigate if a diverse plant composition could be a suitable BPS for PMs in strawberry crops. A plant inventory characterized 22 species of non-crop plants harboring PMs. The most abundant PMs, in decreasing order, were Neoseiulus californicus, Neoseiulus anonymus, Euseius citrifolius, and Euseius concordis. PMs were randomly distributed among plants. We also found specific associations of Phytoseiidae species and phytophagous or generalist mites on plants. Due to this, four species were deemed suitable as banker plants: Capsicum sp., Leonurus sibiricus, Solanum americanum, and Urochloa mutica. Moreover, these plants combined a high PMs density and a low occurrence or absence of pest-mites. This study suggests shifting the traditional view that BPSs are composed of a limited number of species to use plant assemblages. This contributes to both conservation and augmentative biological control.

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