scholarly journals Intraguild predation in three generalist predatory mites of the family Phytoseiidae (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

2021 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Faten M. Momen ◽  
Amira Abdel-Khalek

Abstract Background The predatory mites, Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor), N. barkeri (Hughes), and Amblyseius swirskii Athias-Henriot, are important predators attacking many insect and mite pests. They can coexist in the same habitat and engage in intraguild predation (IGP). Main body IGP was assessed among the exotic one N. californicus and the native species N. barkeri and A. swirskii as Intraguild predator (IG-predator)/intraguild prey (IG-prey) in either absence or presence of extra-guild prey Tetranychus urticae Koch (EG-prey). In the laboratory, the physiological parameters, longevity, fecundity, and predation rate of these predatory mites’ females, fed on EG-prey, were evaluated, where phytoseiid larvae are considered as (IG-prey) or combined IG-prey with EG-prey. All predatory species consumed larval stages of each other’s, but in case of N. californicus, females failed to sustain oviposition on N. barkeri larvae. Also, it was noticed that N. californicus females killed 3 times more A. swirskii larvae than N. barkeri larvae, whereas A. swirskii consumed more N. californicus than N. barkeri larvae, respectively. Neoseiulus californicus lived longer on T. urticae and A. swirskii larvae than on N. barkeri, while the latter survived longer on T. urticae only than on the other prey or with combinations with T. urticae. Amblyseius swirskii lived shorter when fed exclusively on T. urticae or IG-prey than on EG-prey combined with IG-prey. In choice experiments, N. californicus showed a higher preference to consume more T. urticae than any of phytoseiid larvae. The comparison between T. urticae and IG-prey diets definite the higher influence of T. urticae on the fecundity in N. californicus and N. barkeri than on IG-prey, whereas in A. swirskii fecundity was as equal on T. urticae as on IG-prey N. californicus larvae. Conclusion A. swirskii seemed to be the strongest IG-predator.

2015 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 46-55
Author(s):  
Somayeh Haghani ◽  
Azadeh Zahedi Golpayegani ◽  
Alireza Saboori ◽  
Hossein Allahrari

Behavioral characteristics such as aggressiveness and predation preference of the phytoseiid predatory species, Amblyseius swirskii, Neoseiulus californicus and Phytoseiulus persimilis (Acari: Phytoseiidae) were investigated when applied together. We quantified the chance and time of a successful attack to a heterospecific larva as aggressiveness of adult females. In order to the determine the predation preference of adult females equal combination of con/heterospecific larvae were presented to as prey in absence of their main prey (Tetranychus urticae Koch) for 24 h. Experiments were carried out in growth chamber at 25±1 ºC, 65±5% RH and 16:8 (L: D) hour photoperiod regimens. The results showed that adult females of N. californicus needed 39.65±7.46 min. to attack and kill the larva of P. persimilis which was remarkably less than that recorded (227.80±28.38 min.) for adult females of P. persimilis to attack and kill N. californicus larva. N. californicus was estimated more aggressive than P. persimilis. The mean estimated attack time of A. swirskii and P. persimilis was estimated 18.55±2.89 and 201.70±25.42 min., respectively. A. swirskii was considered more aggressive than P. persimilis against heterospecific larvae. The predation preference index (Manly´s β) were indicated that N. californicus was able to recognize con/heterospecific larva, resulted more preference for heterospecific larvae (P. persimilis) in absence of T. urticae, while adult P. persimilis showed no preference (between con and heterospecific larva). Manly´s β, for A. swirskii was 0.706 and 0.294, for P. persimilis 0.369 and 0.630 on hetero and conspecific larvae, respectively. Results of this study showed that, A. swirskii and N. californicus are general predators were able to roecgnize con/heterospecific larva and preferred to feed on heterospecific larvae and get benefit from intraguild predation.


2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (11) ◽  
pp. 2240-2252 ◽  
Author(s):  
Somayeh Haghani ◽  
Azadeh Zahedi-golpayegani ◽  
Alireza Saboori ◽  
Hossein Allahyari

Intraguild predation (IGP) consists of interacting individuals with context dependent roles that compete for food. Information about the predator trophic interactions i.e. cannibalism or feeding on heterospecific juveniles, is a key to understand the real impact of their combinations when introduced in biological control systems. The hypothesis here, assumed that the pairwise introduction of the female predatory mites, N. californicus (predator) + P. persimilis (heterospecific prey) and vice versa, A. swirskii (predator) + P. persimilis (heterospecific prey) and vice versa could exist in the Tetranychus urticae (main prey) scarcity. Three diets consisted of either conspecific or heterospecific six eggs, four eggs + four larvae and four protonymphs were introduced to the guilds. The predation and oviposition rates and the longevity of each female intraguild predator on detached bean leaf disc was recorded every three hours for 12 consecutive days. Neoseiulus californicus predation rate was estimated to be highest on conspecific eggs + larvae (11.35 ± 1.12) and so was on those of P. persimilis (55.7 ± 3.42). No significant difference was observed in N. californicus oviposition rate on three conspecific diets (P > 0.05), while its oviposition rate was highest on P. persimilis eggs + larvae (7.15 ± 0.80). Phytoseiulus persimilis predation rate was estimated to be highest on eggs + larvae both on N. californicus and P. persimilis as prey. Its oviposition rate was estimated to be highest when feeding on conspecific eggs (2.25 ± 0.19) and N. californicus eggs + larvae. Amblyseius swirskii fed on 45 ± 2.79 P. persimilis and 12.90 ± 1.51 A. swirskii eggs + larvae, which was significantly higher than predation rates on other stages (P < 0.01). Amblyseius swirskii oviposition rate was not significantly different on each of the three diets or on A. swirskii or P. persimilis as prey (P > 0.05). The oviposition rate of P. persimilis was the highest on A. swirskii eggs + larvae (1.45 ± 0.19). When N. californicus fed on each of the three diet types, no significant difference was observed in its longevity. The greatest longevity of P. persimilis was recorded when feeding on N. californicus/P. persimilis eggs. Longevity of A. swirskii was the greatest on P. persimilis eggs and protonymphs. Similarly, P. persimilis had the greatest longevity feeding on A. swirskii eggs. We concluded that the predator species were capable of surviving under conditions of scarce prey when heterospecific species are present.


2009 ◽  
Vol 100 (2) ◽  
pp. 167-173 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Buitenhuis ◽  
L. Shipp ◽  
C. Scott-Dupree

AbstractThe relationships between the predatory mites, Amblyseius swirskii (Athias-Henriot) and Neoseiulus cucumeris (Oudemans) (Acari: Phytoseiidae), and their prey, western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), were investigated to determine the effects of predation on intra-guild or extra-guild prey and predator preference. Life history characteristics of both predatory mites were measured when fed eggs and larvae of the other predator species and compared to data obtained when the predators were fed thrips larvae. In addition, choice tests were conducted to determine if the predators had a preference for different prey or if they were indiscriminate predators. Amblyseius swirskii appears to be an important intra-guild predator of N. cucumeris juveniles because of a high predation rate and a preference for N. cucumeris juveniles over thrips. Neoseiulus cucumeris is also an intra-guild predator of A. swirskii juveniles; however, it has a lower predation rate than A. swirskii. Contrary to intra-guild predation theory, intra-guild prey was an equally good or better food source than thrips (extra-guild prey) for both predators, based on high oviposition rates and fast development times. The results of this study indicate a high potential for negative interactions between A. swirskii and N. cucumeris when used together in biological control of thrips.


2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 01-06
Author(s):  
Maryam Rezaie ◽  
Fatomhe Montazerie

Neoseiulus californicus (Acari: Phytoseiidae) is an effective predator in greenhouses which feeds on plant injurious mites. Searching capacity is one of importance in the effectiveness of this predatory mite. In this research, the population fed with corn pollen, walnut and date pollen and the spider mite (four strains) were investigated. The prey-stage preference of N. californicus was studied on different developmental stages of Tetranychus urticae. The predation rate of rearing population of N. californicus was determined; it was used eggs of T. urticae. Experiments were carried out on strawberry disc in Petri dish (6 cm diameter) under laboratory conditions (27±1ºC temperature, 70±5% RH and 16L: 8D photoperiod). After 24 hours, the total numbers of prey consumed were counted. The predatory mites reared on different pollens prefer eggs or nymphs to adults and the Preference Index of different strains was not different. Result of consumed of spider mites by female predatory mites indicated the predation rate of the predatory mites fed with corn pollen (9±1.46), walnut pollen (8.19±0.99) and Date pollen (8.28±0.80) did not any significant difference, however when spider mites and the mentioned pollens were used, the predation rate of predatory mites when fed with T.  urticae (14.74±0.94), Walnut (15.24±1.05) and date pollen (14.17±1.04) show significant difference with the population of corn pollen (10.0±0.95). The predation rate of four strains decreased at present of plant pollens. Use of the predatory mite fed with the different developmental stage of two-spotted spider mite and pollen in the biological control of the pests is useful.


2021 ◽  
pp. 166-172
Author(s):  
Н.В. Алейникова ◽  
Т.С. Рыбарева ◽  
Л.П. Ягодинская

Клещи-фитофаги ежегодно наносят существенный вред промышленным плодовым культурам, наиболее повреждаемой из них является яблоня. Многократное применение химических препаратов в защите от вредителей не только оказывает пестицидный прессинг на агроценоз, но и нарушает экосистему плодовых насаждений, что проявляется в смене одних видов другими, влияет на биоразнообразие, снижает численность полезных членистоногих и приводит к появлению резистентных к пестицидам рас клещей. Целью исследований являлась разработка и испытание системы защиты интенсивных яблоневых садов Красногвардейского и Нижнегорского районов Республики Крым от клещей сем. Tetranychidae - боярышникового Amphitetranychus viennensis (Zacher), красного плодового Panonychus ulmi (Koch) с помощью хищных клещей-фитосейид Phytoseiulus persimilis (Athias-Henriot), Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor) и Amblyseius andersoni (Chant). Производственные испытания системы проводились в 2019-2020 гг. на участках, где в 2015-2018 гг. был сформирован акарокомплекс методами наводнения и сезонной колонизации. После формирования акарокомплекса была проведена оценка его устойчивости к токсическому действию применяемых в хозяйствах средств защиты растений. Исследованиями установлено, что сформированный в течение трех лет акарокомплекс хищных клещей позволил снизить численность диапаузирующих самок A. viennensis на 87 % и плотность популяции вредителей в летний период, предотвратить вспышку численности фитофагов в весенний период 2019-2020 гг. Доказано, что препарат из класса пиретроидов с действующим веществом тау-флювалинат снижает численность хищников на 99 %. Частичное восстановление плотности популяции за счет миграции аборигенных видов хищников наблюдалось через 2-3 месяца. Вспышка численности клещей-фитофагов на участках, где был сформирован акарокомплекс хищных клещей, происходит из-за применения токсичных для них препаратов и появления резистентных к акарицидам рас клещей-фитофагов. Phytophagous mites annually cause significant damage to commercial fruit crops, the most damaged of which is the apple tree. Repeated use of chemical preparations in protection against pests does not only exert pesticide pressure on agrocenosis, but also affects the ecosystem of fruit plantings, replacing one species with others, influencing biodiversity, reducing the number of helpful arthropods and causing the emergence of pesticide-resistant mite races. The aim of the research was to develop and test the system of protecting intensive apple orchards of Krasnogvardeisky and Nizhnegorsky districts of the Republic of Crimea from mites of Tetranychidae family - hawthorn mite Amphitetranychus viennensis (Zacher), European red mite Panonychus ulmi (Koch) with the help of predatory phytoseiidae mites Phytoseiulus persimilis (Athias-Henriot), Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor) and Amblyseius andersoni (Chant). In-process system tests were carried out in 2019-2020 on plots where in 2015-2018 the acarocomplex was formed using methods of population development and seasonal colonization. After the acarocomplex formation, an assessment of its resistance to toxic effect of plant protecting agents used in farms was carried out. The studies confirmed that the acarocomplex of predatory mites developed in three years allowed to reduce the number of diapausing females of A. viennensis by 87% and the pest population density in the summer period, to prevent outbreak of phytophagous population in the spring period of 2019-2020. It was proven that pyrethroid class preparation with the active ingredient tau-fluvalinat reduced the number of predators by 99%. Partial recovery of the population density due to the migration of native species of predators was observed in 2-3 months. Outbreak of the number of phytophagous mites on the plots where the acarocomplex of predatory mites was developed was due to the use of toxic preparations and the appearance of resistant to acaricides phytophagous mite races.


2021 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
El-Sayed M. El-Saiedy ◽  
Shimaa F. Fahim

Abstract Background The two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae), is a major pest of strawberry. It was necessary to control this mite pest that can reducing the quality and quantity of the fruits. In this regard, the effect of ZORO acaricide, Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor) and Amblyseius swirskii Athias-Henriot for suppressing the naturally occurring T. urticae populations on three strawberry cultivars were investigated. Results The two predatory mites and ZORO treatments significantly suppressed the populations of T. urticae below the control in all tested cultivars. In most cases of the current study, significantly lower numbers of T. urticae were generally observed in ZORO and N. californicus treatments compared to A. swirskii treatment. In all cultivars, the overall mean of reduction percentages of T. urticae populations in N. californicus and ZORO treatments were not statistically different, and all were significantly higher than that in A. swirskii treatment. Conclusion The present results suggested that the release of N. californicus and the application of ZORO acaricide could be promising strategies for controlling T. urticae on strawberry, although the release of N. californicus appears to be more competent tactic than ZORO acaricide.


2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Inga C. Christiansen ◽  
Sandra Szin ◽  
Peter Schausberger

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.


1997 ◽  
Vol 48 (5) ◽  
pp. 401 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jesse D. Ronquillo ◽  
Toshio Saisho

Gravid females of Metapenaeopsis barbata spawned in the laboratory by natural means and the larvae were reared from hatching to postlarval stage at 27·0–29·8˚C and 33·5–34·5 g kg -1 salinity. The larvae metamorphosed into first postlarvae, with a survival rate of up to 98·4%, after about 10 days following hatching and subsistence on only an algal diet of Tetraselmis tetrathele and Chaetoceros gracilis. Six naupliar stages, three protozoeal stages, three mysis stages and the first postlarval stage are described and illustrated. On the basis of morphological characteristics, larval stages of M. barbata can be distinguished from similar stages of closely related species in the family Penaeidae. As inferred from the morphology of the larval feeding apparatus, M. barbata is still a filter-feeder even at the first postlarval stage.


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