Preselecting predatory mites for biological control: the use of an olfactometer

Abstract

Previous investigations showed that (1) predatory mites use odours volatilizing from spider-mite infested plants for remote prey selection and (2) the response to the volatiles is correlated to the predator's ability to control populations of the prey species. Based on this correlation, it is hypothesized that preselecting predatory mites with the aid of olfactometer experiments will increase the probability of finding an efficient natural enemy. Y-tube olfactometer experiments with 11 species of phytoseiids showed that only four species were attracted by the odour of cassava leaves infested with cassava green mite Mononychellus tanajoa (Bondar). If the hypothesis mentioned above is valid, the probability of finding an efficient natural enemy within this group of four will be higher than finding one by randomly taking a species from the initial group of 11 species. Since testing of phytoseiids with an olfactometer can be done in a few hours, it is suggested that these tests precede more laborious evaluation methods.

Plant strategies of manipulating predatorprey interactions through allelochemicals: Prospects for application in pest control

“…However, if the predators, upon leaving the prey-infested leaf area, are assumed to return immediately, the simulation models gave reasonably good predictions (Sabelis and Van der Meet, 1986). Behavioral studies have demonstrated that the volatile-kairomone gradient present at the edge of the patch affects such returning behavior (Sabelis et al, 1984b) and that, even when starved, the predatory mite P. persimilis did not take off on wind currents as long as kairomone was present (Sabelis and Afman, 1984;Sabelis and Janssen, 1990). These investigations indicate that the volatile kairomone is essential in spider-mite extermination.…”

“…(b) Volatile prey-related chemicals may be used as kairomones in an early stage of prey searching (Vit6 and Williamson, 1970;Mpakagiannis, 1982;Aldrich et al, 1986;Sabelis and Afman, 1984;Sabelis and Dicke, 1985;Sabelis and Janssen, 1990). In-flight behavior may be influenced (Vit6 and Williamson, 1970), but alternatively, upon landing, the decision to stay or to continue aerial dispersal may be affected by volatile kairomones (Sabelis and Afman, 1984;Sabelis and Janssen, 1990).…”

“…In-flight behavior may be influenced (Vit6 and Williamson, 1970), but alternatively, upon landing, the decision to stay or to continue aerial dispersal may be affected by volatile kairomones (Sabelis and Afman, 1984;Sabelis and Janssen, 1990). These compounds obviously provide more information about prey presence than plant volatiles and may function in distant prey selection (Sabelis and Van de Baan, 1983;Dicke et al, 1988).…”

“…Thus, the chances of landing in a spider-mite colony or on a spider-mite-infested plant are small. However, after landing, volatile kairomones are used in making foraging decisions such as whether to stay or to take off again, and where or how long to search (Sabelis and Afman, 1984;Sabelis and Dicke 1985;Sabelis and Janssen, 1990). The response to these volatile kairomones depends on quantitative and qualitative food history of the predatory mites (Sabelis and Van de Baan, 1983;Dicke et al, 1986Dicke et al, , 1989c.…”

Phytoseiid life-histories, local predator-prey dynamics, and strategies for control of tetranychid mites

“…When the aim is to establish a persistent predator population on a larger spatial scale, it becomes increasingly important to consider passive dispersal of prey and predator, the ability to find new prey patches, prey selectivity (Janssen et al, 1990), and the use of alternative food (McMurtry, 1982(McMurtry, , 1992Murdoch et al, 1985 ).…”