Evaluation of Prey-Stage Preference as an Indicator of Life-Style Type in Phytoseiid Mites

Raoiella indica Hirst (Acari: Tenuipalpidae) is a phytophagous mite that recently invaded the Western Hemisphere. This mite is a multivoltine and gregarious species that can reach very high population densities and cause significant damage to various palm species (Arecaceae). The predatory mite Amblyseius largoensis (Muma) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) has been found associated with R. indica in Florida. This study evaluated A. largoensis for potential to control R. indica by (1) determining predator preferences among developmental stages of R. indica, and (2) estimating predator functional and numerical responses to varying densities of its most preferred prey-stage. Under no-choice conditions A. largoensis consumed significantly more eggs than other stages of R. indica. In choice tests A. largoensis showed a significant preference for R. indica eggs over all other prey stages. Amblyseius largoensis displayed a type II functional response showing an increase in number of prey killed with an increase in prey population density. Consumption of prey stabilized at approximately 45 eggs/day, the level at which oviposition by the predator was maximized (2.36 ± 0.11 eggs/day; mean ± SEM). Results of this study suggest that A. largoensis can play a role in controlling R. indica populations, particularly when prey densities are low.

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prey-stage preferences and functional and numerical responses of Amblyseius largoensis (Acari: Phytoseiidae) to Raoiella indica (Acari: Tenuipalpidae)

Carrillo

Peña

2011

“…(Putman 1962;Clements and Harmsen 1993;Blackwood et al 2004). Unlike G. occidentalis, it can also reproduce while feeding exclusively on pollen (Putman 1962;Blackwood et al 2004).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…(Putman 1962;Clements and Harmsen 1993;Blackwood et al 2004). Unlike G. occidentalis, it can also reproduce while feeding exclusively on pollen (Putman 1962;Blackwood et al 2004). This species is placed in the ''Type III'' category (McMurtry and Croft 1997), or ''Type III-a'' (McMurtry et al 2013).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparative biology and pesticide susceptibility of Amblydromella caudiglans and Galendromus occidentalis as spider mite predators in apple orchards

Schmidt‐Jeffris

Beers

2015

The successful integrated mite management program for Washington apples was based on conservation of the mite predator Galendromus occidentalis (Nesbitt). In the 1960s, this mite was assumed to be the only phytoseiid in Washington commercial apple orchards, due to its preference for the most common mite pest of that period, Tetranychus mcdanieli McGregor, as well as its resistance to organophosphate pesticides. A recent survey of phytoseiids in Washington apple found that another phytoseiid, Amblydromella caudiglans (Schuster) has become common. It is a more generalized predator than G. occidentalis (it is not a Tetranychus spp. specialist) and is not known to be organophosphate-resistant. A series of experiments was conducted to compare the life history, prey consumption, and pesticide tolerance of these two species. Galendromus occidentalis developed more quickly than A. caudiglans, but had slightly lower egg survival. Although A. caudiglans attacked more Tetranychus urticae Koch eggs than G. occidentalis, it could not reproduce on this diet. Both predators performed equally well on a diet of T. urticae protonymphs. Unlike G. occidentalis, A. caudiglans experienced significant mortality when exposed to carbaryl, azinphosmethyl, and bifenazate. Both predators experienced significant mortality due to imidacloprid and spinetoram. These results highlight the key differences between these two predators; the shift away from organophosphate use as well as the change in dominant mite pest to Panonychus ulmi (Koch) may be driving factors for the observed increased abundance of A. caudiglans in Washington apple.

“…It is well known that the performance of several oligophagous phytoseiid species, such as N. idaeus, depends to a major extent on the prey species consumed (McMurtry and Rodriguez 1987;McMurtry and Croft 1997). In addition, recent studies started to elucidate the potential effects of prey stage and host plant on these predators (Skirvin and de Courcy Williams 1999;Blackwood et al 2001Blackwood et al , 2004Skirvin and Fenlon 2001). Prey stages may influence specialized predators via differences in nutritional benefits provided or in the handling time required for preying on them (see Blackwood et al 2001 and refs.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Neoseiulus idaeus (Acari: Phytoseiidae) as a potential biocontrol agent of the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae) in papaya: performance on different prey stage – host plant combinations

Collier¹,

Albuquerque

Lima

et al. 2007

Development, reproduction, and life table parameters of the phytoseiid mite Neoseiulus idaeus Denmark & Muma preying on various stages of Tetranychus urticae Koch fed on papaya or snap bean plant were studied at 25 +/- 2 degrees C, 77 +/- 2% RH and 12L:12D photoperiod. Most characteristics of the predator, including the duration of the immature stages, preoviposition and oviposition periods, and female longevity did not differ significantly among the different food combinations. During the adult stage, N. idaeus females survived up to 14 days. The net reproductive rate, the mean generation time, and the intrinsic rate of natural increase of N. idaeus were very similar on all T. urticae stage--host plant combinations, ranging from 5.15 to 6.61 females, 10.15 to 12.62 days, and 0.150 to 0.168, respectively. These results indicate that T. urticae reared either on papaya or snap bean is an adequate prey for the development and reproduction of N. idaeus. Moreover, the current findings demonstrate that the host plant of T. urticae did not affect the predator. The implications of these results for the success of N. idaeus as a biological control agent of T. urticae in papaya orchards are discussed.