Domatia reduce larval cannibalism in predatory mites

Abstract

1. Acarodomatia are small structures on the underside of leaves of many plant species, which are mainly inhabited by carnivorous and fungivorous mites.2. Domatia are thought to protect these mites against adverse environmental conditions and against predation. They are considered as an indirect plant defence; they provide shelter to predators and fungivores and these in turn protect the plants against herbivores and fungi.3. We studied the possible role of domatia of coffee (Coffea arabica L.) (Rubiaceae) and sweet pepper (Capsicum annum L.) (Solanaceae) in reducing cannibalism in the mites inhabiting the domatia. We measured cannibalism of larvae by adults of the predatory mites Iphiseiodes zuluagai Denmark & Muma and Amblyseius herbicolus Chant on coffee leaf discs and of the predatory mite Iphiseius degenerans (Berl.) on sweet pepper leaf. Domatia were closed with glue or left open.4. Cannibalism in all three species increased when domatia were closed. With I. degenerans, moreover, we found that the previous diet of the cannibal attenuated the effect of domatia on cannibalism.5. We conclude that domatia can protect young predatory mites against cannibalism by adults and that the diet of cannibals affects the rate of cannibalism.

Order of invasion affects the spatial distribution of a reciprocal intraguild predator

“…However, this was irrespective of the presence of N.   cucumeris . We believe that I.   degenerans may avoid ovipositing at patches with conspecifics to avoid cannibalism; apart from being an intraguild predator, I.   degenerans also preys heavily on its own larvae and may therefore avoid ovipositing on places with conspecifics (Ferreira et al 2008). If I.   degenerans indeed avoids ovipositing on patches with conspecifics to avoid cannibalism, avoidance should also have occurred when it was the resident.…”

Mites on Plants

“…As discussed above, predation on phytoseiid mites is reduced on hairy leaves. This is also true of domatia: predation against phytoseiid eggs by Western Flower Thrips (Faraji et al 2002a , b ) and intraguild predation of larvae by phytoseiids (Ferreira et al 2008(Ferreira et al , 2011 ) is reduced in the presence of domatia. Although Iphiseius degenerans hunts for food (thrips, pollen, nectar) in fl owers, it lays its eggs in leaf domatia far from the source of food for its offspring (Ferreira et al 2011 ).…”

“…Only recently have the responses of mites to leaf architecture been considered but it is clear that leaf surface structures alter mite abundances, infl uence predator-prey interactions and are central to an understanding of the relationship between phylloplane mites and plants (Walter 1992 ;Walter and O'Dowd 1995b ). For example, leaf hairs provide refugia from predators of phytoseiids and their eggs (Roda et al 2001 ;Romero and Benson 2005 ;Seelmann et al 2007 ;Ferreira et al 2008 ).…”

Geïntegreerde bestrijding van plagen in de sierteelt onder glas : een systeembenadering met preventieve biologische bestrijding als basis

“…De ei-restanten vormen dan een soort korst, waardoor de andere eieren minder toegankelijk zijn voor predatoren. Verder is gevonden dat domatia de mate van kannibalisme vermindert (Ferreira et al 2008). In een aantal studies is vastgesteld dat de aanwezigheid van domatia ook daadwerkelijk tot een beter plaagbestrijding leidt.…”