Tri‐partite complexity: odour from a psyllid's mutualist ant increased predation by a predatory mite on the psyllid

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Predator-prey interactions consist of direct consumption of prey by predators and indirect non-consumptive effects on prey. Predator cues can induce predation stress in prey that negatively influences the survival, development, reproduction, and feeding behaviour of the prey. This study evaluated the effects of hemipteran-tending ant (Technomyrmex albipes) odour on the development, survival, reproduction, and predation rates of the predatory mite Amblydromalus limonicus when feeding on an invasive pest of solanaceous crops, Bactericera cockerelli. The age-stage, two-sex life table theory was used to compare the demographic characteristics and predation rates of A. limonicus in the presence and absence of ant odour. RESULTS:We show that exposure to ant odour did not alter the development, survival rate, and fecundity of A. limonicus, but induced a sexually dimorphic response in its longevity; consumption rates also showed that dimorphic response-predation rates increased in female A. limonicus, but not in males. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first report indicating increased consumption rates by natural enemies exposed to odour from a mutualist of pest (ant). This finding may provide new insights into understanding tri-partite interaction involving a pest, its predator, and a mutulist of the pest.

Provisioning predatory mites with entomopathogenic fungi or pollen improves biological control of a greenhouse psyllid pest

“…Although significant reductions of TPP eggs, nymphs, and adults by EPF delayed the establishment of psyllid populations on crops, TPP still decreased the development of bell pepper plant and fruit, because eggs produced by infected females still developed into the next generation and continued damaging plant leaves. Regarding the remnants of TPP on leaf surface, the best‐integrated strategy is the simultaneous release of predatory mites that efficiently consume vulnerable TPP (eggs and first instar nymphs) in a relatively short time, considering the developmental time of TPP eggs and first instar nymphs was only 8 days on bell peppers …”

“…Regarding the remnants of TPP on leaf surface, the best-integrated strategy is the simultaneous release of predatory mites that efficiently consume vulnerable TPP (eggs and first instar nymphs) in a relatively short time, considering the developmental time of TPP eggs and first instar nymphs was only 8 days on bell peppers. 11,14,15,18,58…”

Consuming Parasitized Aphids Alters the Life History and Decreases Predation Rate of Aphid Predator

“…For the age-staged life table, age-stage specific survival rate (S xj ), female age-specific fecundity (f x6 ), age-specific maternity (l x m x ), age-specific survival rate (l x ) and age-specific fecundity of the total population (m x ) of A. aphidimyza were calculated using the program TWOSEX-MSChart [29,30]. Mean values and standard errors of developmental time, survival rate, adult preoviposition period, total preoviposition period (calculated from birth to oviposition), oviposition period, and fecundity of A. aphidimyza, as well its predation rates, were estimated with 10,000 bootstrap replicates.…”

“…A paired bootstrap test was used to calculate life table parameters of A. aphidimyza when it fed on unparasitized or parasitized M. persicae [31]. Age-stage-specific consumption (c xj ), age-specific predation rate (k x ), age-specific net predation rate (q x ), net predation rate (C 0 ), stable predation rate (ψ), finite predation rate (λ) and transformation rate (Q p ) of A. aphidimyza were analyzed according to the CONSUME-MSChart program [29,32]. We used the TIMING-MSChart program [29,33] to project the population growth, stage growth, total population and total consumption of A. aphidimyza reared on parasitized or unparasitized M. persicae.…”

“…Age-stage-specific consumption (c xj ), age-specific predation rate (k x ), age-specific net predation rate (q x ), net predation rate (C 0 ), stable predation rate (ψ), finite predation rate (λ) and transformation rate (Q p ) of A. aphidimyza were analyzed according to the CONSUME-MSChart program [29,32]. We used the TIMING-MSChart program [29,33] to project the population growth, stage growth, total population and total consumption of A. aphidimyza reared on parasitized or unparasitized M. persicae. We used Sigma Plot v12.5 to construct the curves for A. aphidimyza's survival rates, reproductive value, and predation rates.…”