Birefringent Crystals and Abdominal Discoloration in the Predatory MitePhytoseiulus persimilis(Acari: Phytoseiidae)

Bjørnson, S.; Steiner, Marilyn Y; Keddie, B. A.

doi:10.1006/jipa.1996.4627

Cited by 21 publications

(31 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…Intensive mass-production together with frequent transport of arthropods may contribute to disease incidence (Sikorowski and Lawrence 1994). Reports of poor performance of several commercial mite populations (Steiner 1993a, b;Steiner and Bjørnson 1996;Raworth and Bjørnson 2002;Blu¨mel and Hausdorf 2002) and of consistent changes in foraging behavior (Dicke et al 2000) have therefore stimulated research in the pathology of this mite (Bjørnson 1998, Bjørnson and Keddie 1999, 2001Bjørnson et al 1996Bjørnson et al , 1997Schu¨tte et al 1995).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Novel Disease Affecting the Predatory Mite Phytoseiulus persimilis (Acari, Phytoseiidae): 1. Symptoms in Adult Females

2006

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Abstract. Adult female Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot (Acari, Phytoseiidae) of one of our laboratory populations showed a lower degree of attraction to herbivore-induced plant volatiles than other laboratory populations. We hypothesized earlier that this consistent change in foraging behavior is a symptom of a disease, as it is a contagious phenomenon. Here we describe more symptoms by comparing mated females of this population (non-responding (NR) population) with mated females of other populations that are strongly attracted to herbivore-induced plant volatiles (responding populations). The most apparent characteristic of the NR population was the presence of numerous dorso-ventrally flattened females (76% of all females). These females had a normal size after mating but shrank during adulthood. Independent of their age, shrunken females did not reproduce and died a few days after shrinking. In addition to these profound differences in short term performance, females from the NR-population showed behavioral changes, including a lower degree of attraction to herbivore-induced plant volatiles, a higher tendency to leave a prey-patch and a lower predation rate. Moreover, about half of the live females of the NR-population carried birefringent dumbbell-shaped crystals in the legs whereas live females of a responding population carried crystals only in the lumen of the Malpighian tubules and the rectum. The symptom 'crystals in the legs' was correlated with low reproduction. Energy dispersive X-ray diffraction of these crystals revealed that they contain calcium and phosphorus along with carbon and oxygen. Crystals with comparable elemental compositions and the same characteristic concentric layering are well known in insects, where they are thought to play a major role in detoxification of calcium and heavy metals, and in storage of phosphorus. The fraction of predators carrying a white spot in the distal part of the opisthosoma, due to accumulation of excretory material in the rectum, was the same in both populations. Present results are discussed in the context of mite pathology and biological control.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Novel Disease Affecting the Predatory Mite Phytoseiulus persimilis (Acari, Phytoseiidae): 1. Symptoms in Adult Females

2006

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“…Virus-like particles have been observed in the yolk of eggs developing inside gravid Neoseiulus cucumeris by Steiner (1993) and inside Phytoseiulus persimilis females by Bjørnson, Steiner, & Keddie (1997). In adults of these species, also birefringent crystals were observed, but there may be no relation between the presence of the virus-like particles and these crystals.Virus infections in cultures of predatory mites are undesirable as such conditions may affect the efficacy of the predator as biological control agent.…”

Section: Virus Diseasesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Metaseiulus occidentalis Phytoseiidae Lighthart, Sewall, and Thomas (1988) Mite and also tick species are frequently infected with intra-cellular microorganisms (Šut'áková, 1988Steiner, 1993;Munderloh & Kurtti, 1995;Bjørnson et al, 1997) These microorganisms have been placed into the family Rickettsiaceae within the class α-Proteobacteria. The family Rickettsiaceae (or Rickettsia-like organisms) consists of three tribes: Rickettsieae, Ehrlichieae and Wolbachieae (Weiss & Moulder, 1984).…”

Section: Serratia Marcescensmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In plant-inhabiting mites, rickettsia-like infections have mainly been observed in microscopic surveys (Šut'áková, 1988Hess & Hoy, 1982;Steiner, 1993;Munderloh & Kurtti, 1995;Bjørnson et al, 1997). They are described as intracellular microbes often localized in the reproductive tissue of their host, but no data are available on their possible effect on mites.…”

Section: Serratia Marcescensmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In a number of instances, rectal plugs, usually in combination with abdominal discoloration have been observed in phytoseiids (Tanigoshi, Fagerlund, & Nishio-Wong, 1981;Bjørnson et al, 1997). This discoloration is usually manifested as two white stripes along the dorsal sides of the body within the Malpighian tubules.…”

Section: Symptoms Ascribed To Poor Conditionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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IPM Potentials of Microbial Pathogens and Diseases of Mites

Geest

2010

Integrated Management of Arthropod Pests and Insect Borne Diseases

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Abstract. An overview is given of diseases in mites, caused by infectious microorganisms. Many pathogens play an important role in the regulation of natural populations of mite populations and are for this reason subject of research on the feasibility to develop such pathogens to biological control agents. Several examples are given of successful application of pathogens for the control of mite pests, but also failures are discussed. Most studies concern fungal pathogens of tetranychids and eriophyids; some of these fungi are possible candidates for biological control agent of species of noxious mites. An interesting group of pathogens form the intracellular symbionts: bacteria that may cause unusual effects in their hosts, such as parthenogenesis, feminization, male killing and incompatibilities. This group of bacteria is present in many invertebrates species and are presently widely studied as new molecular techniques have become available that make detection of such symbionts possible. Attention is also given to quality control of beneficial mites that are being used in integrated control programs. Beneficial mites, as e.g. predatory mites, may also be infected by microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, microsporidia), resulting in poor performance of the predator. Prospects for the application of pathogens in IPM systems are discussed.

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References

2003

Mites (Acari) for Pest Control

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Birefringent Crystals and Abdominal Discoloration in the Predatory MitePhytoseiulus persimilis(Acari: Phytoseiidae)

Cited by 21 publications

References 5 publications

A Novel Disease Affecting the Predatory Mite Phytoseiulus persimilis (Acari, Phytoseiidae): 1. Symptoms in Adult Females

A Novel Disease Affecting the Predatory Mite Phytoseiulus persimilis (Acari, Phytoseiidae): 1. Symptoms in Adult Females

IPM Potentials of Microbial Pathogens and Diseases of Mites

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