Effects of temperature on the life-history traits of Sancassania (Caloglyphus) berlesei (Acari: Astigmatina: Acaridae) feeding on root-knot nematodes, Meloidogyne spp. (Nematoda: Meloidogynidae)

Abstract

Sancassania (Caloglyphus) berlesei (Michael) is a cosmopolitan and free-living mite that inhabits soil as well as laboratory colonies of insects and fungi and may have a role as a biocontrol agent of nematodes. In this study, we investigated the effects of temperature on the development, reproduction, and food consumption of S. berlesei fed egg masses of root-knot nematodes, Meloidogyne spp., an important group of agricultural pests. Mites were reared at 20, 25 or 30 °C in the dark. The mites could feed on the nematode egg masses, and their developmental time decreased at higher temperatures. Time from the egg to adult was similar in females and males reared at the same temperature. Adult females lived longer than males at 25 °C, but not at 20 or 30 °C. Generally, females showed a higher rate of food consumption than males. Females laid the largest number of eggs at 20 and 25 °C (199.7 and 189.8 eggs/female, respectively), but the intrinsic rate of natural increase was highest at 30 °C (r m = 0.29). In comparing our data with previous reports, we noted that S. berlesei that fed on egg masses of root-knot nematodes showed a longer developmental time and a lower reproductive rate than Sancassania mites that fed on other diets. Nonetheless, the relatively high value of r m (e.g., at 25 and 30 °C) suggests that this mite may have certain advantages as a biocontrol agent of root-knot nematodes.

Evaluation of Stratiolaelaps scimitus (Acari: Laelapidae) for controlling the root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita (Tylenchida: Heteroderidae)

“…www.nature.com/scientificreports www.nature.com/scientificreports/ (Caloglyphus) berlesei on the egg masses of Meloidogyne spp. 16 ; Tyrophagus putrescentiae on the egg masses or adult females of M. incognita 17 ; Neoseiulus barkeri on the second-stage juveniles of M. incognita (Mi-J2) 18,19 and adult females of Radopholus similis 19 ; Blattisocius dolichus on Mi-J2 8 , and so on. Stratiolaelaps scimitus is a generalist predatory mite living in the soil and rhizosphere of plants [20][21][22] and can prey on harmful insects, such as fungus gnats and thrips 23,24 .…”

Cheliceral chelal design in free-living astigmatid mites

“…Sancassania berlesei can be reared in the laboratory on nematodes (El-Atta et al. 2014 ) but is also capable of feeding on a wide range of substrates as long as the humidity is high (grain, manure, dead insects, fungi, nematodes; OConnor pers. comm.…”

Consumption of mite‐ripened cheese did not impair the physiological status of both the non‐immunosuppressed and immunosuppressed mice

“…The scientific literature reports the presence of mites in the ripening environment, both as a problem that generates economic losses (Wilkin 1973;Abou El-Atta et al 2014;Abbar et al 2017;FDA 2017) as a technological adjuvant that can contribute to desirable sensory changes in cheeses (Carvalho et al 2020;Robinson et al 2021). Even though mite infestation in cheese in ripening environments is recurrent and well-known, research describing the consequences of consuming this product previously infested with mites is still lacking, causing many countries around the world to ban this type of product, contributing to the food waste index increase (Carvalho et al 2018b).…”

“…The scientific literature reports the presence of mites in the ripening environment, both as a problem that generates economic losses (Wilkin 1973; Abou El‐Atta et al . 2014; Abbar et al . 2017; FDA 2017) as a technological adjuvant that can contribute to desirable sensory changes in cheeses (Carvalho et al .…”