Olfactory response of Phytoseiulus persimilis (Acari: Phytoseiidae) to untreated and Beauveria bassiana-treated Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae)

Abstract

Determination of attraction and avoidance behavior of predators is important in concomitant use of multiple natural enemies to control a pest. The olfactory response of the predatory mite Phytoseiulus persimilis was studied to odors related to Tetranychus urticae adults infected by Beauveria bassiana DEBI008 in 0, 24, 48 and 72 h intervals, both in absence and in presence of plants. In plant-present experiments, P. persimilis attraction was neither towards adults of T. urticae infected by 0.02 % Tween 80 (as control), nor to the ones infected by B. bassiana for 0 or 24 h, whereas significant attraction towards the control was observed when tested against T. urticae infected by B. bassiana for 48 or 72 h. In absence of plants, P. persimilis displayed significant avoidance of T. urticae infected by B. bassiana for 48 or 72 h, when their alternative option was 0.02 % Tween 80-infected T. urticae adults. These results indicate that P. persimilis can recognize the presence of B. bassiana and that the predator avoids the fungus. This suggests that the two natural enemy species can be used together in biological control programmes.

Virulent Entomopathogenic Fungi against The Two-Spotted Spider Mite Tetranychus urticae and some Associated Predator Mites as Non Target Organisms

“…Also, the adults of two predators aggressively attack to adults of T. urticae. (Cote, 2001;Seiedy et al, 2014).…”

Population-specific effect ofWolbachiaon the cost of fungal infection in spider mites

“…Bugeme et al 2008;Chandler et al 2005;Maniania et al 2008;Shi et al 2008;Shin et al 2017), and their compatibility with other control methods, such as predatory mites (e.g. Dogan et al 2017;Seiedy 2014;Seiedy et al 2012;Seiedy et al 2013;Ullah and Lim 2017;Vergel et al 2011;Wu et al 2016) or pesticides (e.g. Irigaray et al 2003;Klingen and Westrum 2007;Shi et al 2005) is widely studied.…”

Inter- and intra-specific variation of spider mite susceptibility to fungal infections: implications for the long-term success of biological control

“…Bugeme et al 2008;Chandler et al 2005;Maniania et al 2008;Shi et al 2008;Shin et al 2017), as well as their compatibility with other control methods, such as predatory mites (e.g. Dogan et al 2017;Seiedy 2014;Seiedy et al 2012;Seiedy et al 2013;Ullah and Lim 2017;Vergel et al 2011;Wu et al 2016) or pesticides (e.g. Irigaray et al 2003;Klingen and Westrum 2007;Shi et al 2005).…”