Predation of entomopathogenic nematodes by Sancassania sp. (Acari: Acaridae)

Abstract

Predation of the entomopathogenic nematode, Steinernema feltiae (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae), by Sancassania sp. (Acari: Acaridae) isolated from field-collected scarab larvae was examined under laboratory conditions. Adult female mites consumed more than 80% of the infective juvenile (IJ) stage of S. feltiae within 24 h. When S. feltiae IJs were exposed to the mites for 24 h and then exposed to Galleria mellonella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) larvae, the number of nematodes penetrating into the larvae was significantly lower compared to S. feltiae IJs that were not exposed to mites (control). Soil type significantly affected the predation rate of IJs by the mites. Mites preyed more on nematodes in sandy soil than in loamy soil. We also observed that the mites consumed more S. feltiae IJs than Heterorhabditis bacteriophora (Rhabditida: Heterorhabditidae). No phoretic relationship was observed between mites and nematodes and the nematodes did not infect the mites.

Entomopathogenic Nematodes in the Soil Environment: Distributions, Interactions and the Influence of Biotic and Abiotic Factors

“…Under laboratory conditions, omnivorous and nematophagous predators can be voracious feeders. In assays with raw field soil, the presence of astigmatid mites in the genus Sancassania (Sarcoptiformes: Acaridae) greatly reduced IJ production by S. carpocapsae, S. riobrave, and H. bacteriophora in G. mellonella (Greenwood et al, 2011; also see Cakmak, Hazir, Ulug, & Karagoz, 2013;Ekmen, Hazir, Cakmak, Ozer, Karagoz, et al, 2010;Karagoz, Gulcu, Cakmak, Kaya, & Hazir, 2007). Many nematophagous species have rapid development and high reproductive rates, exhibit some degree of specificity towards nematodes, and are capable of reproducing rapidly by parthenogenesis (e.g., mesostigmatid mites).…”

Trophic Relationships of Entomopathogenic Nematodes in Agricultural Habitats

“…In a field study, Wilson & Gaugler (2004) correlated the decline of applied IJs to the rise in mites and collembolans but did not observe them feeding on the nematodes or identify the arthropod species. Finally, Karagoz, Gulcu, Cakmak, Kaya, and Hazir (2007) demonstrated using a video recorder that Sancassania sp. [subsequently identified as Sancassania polyphyllae (Zachvatkin) (Acari: Acaridae)] mites consumed S. feltiae IJs (Fig.…”

Positive and negative effects of phoretic mites on the reproductive output of an invasive bark beetle

“…Some fungi are a food resource for developing beetles (Bentz and Six 2006) or help the beetle to overcome tree defences (Paine et al 1997), while others may cause serious fitness costs to the beetle or its offspring (Cardoza et al 2008). Similarly, some mites parasitise beetle eggs (Lindquist 1969;Blackman and Evans 1994) but others may help the beetle by feeding upon fungi (Moser et al 2005) or nematodes (Karagoz et al 2007) that are potentially harmful. Adding to this complexity, numerous species of mite can coexist on the body of a single bark beetle.…”