Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Do phytoseiid mites select the best prey species in terms of reproductive success?

  • Published:
Experimental & Applied Acarology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Optimal foraging theory predicts that predators prefer those prey species that are most rewarding in terms of reproductive success, which is dependent on prey quality and prey availability. To investigate which selection pressures may have moulded prey preference in an acarine system consisting of two prey species and three predator species, we tested whether prey preference of the predators is matched by the associated reproductive success.

The predators involved areAmblyseius finlandicus (Oudemans),Am. potentillae (Garman) andTyphlodromus pyri Scheuten. The prey species are the apple rust mite (Aculus schlechtendali (Nalepa)) and the fruit-tree red spider mite (Panonychus ulmi (Koch)).

Reproductive success was assessed in terms of intrinsic rate of increase and for one predator also in terms of diapause induction. All three predator species reached highest reproductive success on the same prey species: apple rust mite. This was most pronounced for the predatorAm. finlandicus, because its larval stage suffered severe mortality when feeding onP. ulmi.

An independent study on prey preference of the three predator species (Dicke et al., 1988) revealed thatAm. finlandicus prefersAc. schlechtendali toP. ulmi, whereas the other two predator species have the reverse preference.

Thus, on the basis of current data, prey preference ofAm. finlandicus can be understood in terms of reproductive success. However, this is not so for prey preference ofT. pyri andAm. potentillae. Investigations needed for a better understanding of prey preference of the last-named two predator species are discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Amano, H. and Chant, D.A., 1977. Life history and reproduction of two species of predacious mites,Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot andAmblyseius andersoni (Chant) (Acarina: Phytoseiidae). Can. Zool., 55: 1978–1983.

    Google Scholar 

  • Amano, H. and Chant, D.A., 1986. Laboratory studies on the feeding habits, reproduction and development of three phytoseiid species,Typhlodromus pomi, Phytoseius macropilis andAmblyseius finlandicus (Acari: Phytoseiidae), occurring on abandoned apple trees in Ontario, Canada. Exp. Appl. Acarol., 2: 299–313.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chant, D.A., 1959. Phytoseiid mites (Acari: Phytoseiidae). Part. I. Bionomics of seven species in southeastern England. Can. Entomol., 91, Suppl. 12: 5–44.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dicke, M., 1988. Prey preference of the phytoseiid miteTyphlodromus pyri: 1. Response to volatile kairomones. Exp. Appl. Acarol., 4: 1–13.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dicke, M. and de Jong, M., 1988. Prey preference of the phytoseiid miteTyphlodromus pyri: 2. Electrophoretic diet analysis. Exp. Appl. Acarol., 4: 15–25.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dicke, M., Sabelis, M.W. and de Jong, M., 1988. Analysis of prey preference in phytoseiid mites by using an olfactometer, predation models and electrophoresis. Exp. Appl. Acarol., 5: 225–241.

    Google Scholar 

  • Easterbrook, M.A., 1979. The life-history of the eriophyid miteAculus schlechtendali on apple in south-east England. Ann. Appl. Biol., 91: 287–296.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gruys, P., 1982. Hist and misses. The ecological approach to pest control in orchards. Entomol. Exp. Appl., 31: 70–87.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hayes, A.J. and McArdle, B.M., 1987. A laboratory study on the predatory miteTyphlodromus pyri (Acarina: Phytoseiidae): I. The effect of temperature and food consumption on the rate of development of the eggs and immediate stages. Res. Pop. Ecol., 29: 73–88.

    Google Scholar 

  • Herbert, H.J., 1961. Influence of various numbers of prey on the rate of development, oviposition, and longevity ofTyphlodromus pyri Scheuten (Acarina: Phytoseiidae) in the laboratory. Can. Entomol., 93: 380–384.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jeppson, L.R., Keifer, H.H. and Baker, E.W., 1975. Mites Injurious to Economic Plants. University of California Press, Berkeley, 614 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kropczynska, D., 1970. Biology and ecology of the predatory miteTyphlodromus finlandicus (Oud.) (Acarina: Phytoseiidae). Zesz. Probl. Post. Nauk. Roln. 109: 11–42. (in Polish).

    Google Scholar 

  • Kropczynska-Linkiewicz, D., 1971. Studies on the feeding of four species of phytoseiid mites (Acarina: Phytoseiidae). In: Proc. 3rd International Congress of Acarology, Prague, 1971, pp. 225–227.

  • Lotka, A.J., 1925. Elements of Physical Biology. Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore, 460 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • McMurtry, J.A., 1977. Some predaceous mites (Phytoseiidae) on citrus in the Mediterranean region. Entomophaga, 22: 19–30.

    Google Scholar 

  • McMurtry, J.A. and van de Vrie, M., 1973. Predation byAmblyseius potentillae (Garman) onPanonychus ulmi (Koch) in simple ecosystems (Acarina: Phytoseiidae, Tetranychidae). Hilgardia, 42: 17–33.

    Google Scholar 

  • Overmeer, W.P.J., 1981. Notes on breeding phytoseiid mites from orchards (Acarina: Phytoseiidae) in the laboratory. Meded. Fac. Landbouwwet. Rijksuniv., Gent, 46: 503–509.

    Google Scholar 

  • Overmeer, W.P.J., 1985a. Diapause. In: W. Helle and M.W. Sabelis (Editors), Spider Mites, Their Biology, Natural Enemies and Control, Vol. B. Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp. 95–102.

    Google Scholar 

  • Overmeer, W.J.P., 1985b. Rearing and handling. In: W. Helle and M.W. Sabelis (Editors), Spider Mites, Their Biology, Natural Enemies and Control, Vol. B. Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp. 161–170.

    Google Scholar 

  • Overmeer, W.P.J. and van Zon, A.Q., 1983a. The effect of different kinds of food on the induction of diapause in the predacious miteAmblyseius potentillae. Entomol. Exp. Appl. 33: 27–30.

    Google Scholar 

  • Overmeer, W.P.J., and van Zon, A.Q., 1983b Resistance to parathion in the predacious miteTyphlodromus pyri Scheuten (Acarina: Phytoseiidae). Meded. Fac. Landbouwwet. Rijksuniv. Gent, 48: 247–251.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rabbinge, R., 1976. Biological control of the fruit tree red spider mite. Pudoc, Wageningen, 228 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sabelis, M.W., 1981. Biological control of two-spotted spider mites using phytoseiid predators. Part I: Modelling the predator-prey interaction at the individual level. Pudoc, Wageningen, Agric. Res. Rep. 910, 242 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sabelis, M.W., 1985a. Capacity for population increase. In: W. Helle and M.W. Sabelis (Editors), Spider Mites, Their Biology, Natural Enemies and Control, Vol. B. Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp. 35–42.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sabelis, M.W., 1985b. Sex allocation. In: W. Helle and M.W. Sabelis (Editors), Spider Mites, Their Biology, Natural Enemies and Control, Vol. B. Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp. 83–194.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sabelis, M.W., 1985c. Reproduction. In: W. Helle and M.W. Sabelis (Editors), Spider Mites, Their Biology, Natural Enemies and Control, Vol. B. Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp. 83–94.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sabelis, M.W. and van de Baan, H.E., 1983. Location of distant spider mite colonies by phytoseiid predators: demonstration of specific kairomones emitted byTetranychus urticae andPanonychus ulmi. Entomol. Exp. Appl., 33: 303–314.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schliesske, J., 1977. Untersuchungen zur Morphologie, Biologie und Verbreitung vonAculus fockeui (Nal. et Trt.) (Acari: Eriophyidae) in Niedersachsen. Ph.D. Thesis, Technical University of Hannover, F.R.G.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sokal, R.R. and Rohlf, F.J., 1981. Biometry (2nd edition) Freeman, San Francisco, 859 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van de Vrie, M., 1973. Studies on prey-predator interactions betweenPanonychus ulmi andTyphlodromus potentillae (Acarina: Tetranychidae, Phytoseiidae) on apple in the Netherlands. In: Proc. FAO Conference of Ecology in Relation to Plant Pest Control. FAO, Rome, pp. 145–160.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Epenhuijsen, C.W., 1981. Vruchtboomgalmijt (Aculus schlechtendali Nal.) een niet te onderschatten plaag in de appelboom. Fruitteelt, 71 (8): 239–241 (in Dutch).

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Houten, Y.M., Overmeer, W.P.J. and Veerman A., 1987. Thermoperiodically induced diapause in a mite in constant darkness is vitamin A dependent. Experientia, 43: 933–935.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Zon, A.Q., Overmeer, W.P.J. and Veerman, A., 1981. Carotenoids function in photoperiodic induction of diapause in a predacious mite. Science, 213: 1131–1133.

    Google Scholar 

  • Veerman, A., Overmeer, W.P.J., van Zon, A.Q., de Boer, J.M., de Waard, E.R. and Huisman, H.O., 1983. Vitamin A is essential for photoperiodic induction of diapause in an eyeless mite. Nature, 302: 248–249.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zaher, M.A. and Shehata, K.K., 1971. Biological studies on the predator miteTyphlodromus pyri Sch. (Acarina: Phytoseiidae) with the effect of prey and non-prey substances. Z. Angew. Entomol., 67: 389–394.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Entomology, Agricultural University, P.O. Box. 8031, 6700 EH, Wageningen, The Netherlands

    Marcel Dicke, Marijke De Jong & Marcel P. T. Alers

  2. Department of Pure and Applied Ecology, Section of Population Biology, University of Amsterdam, Kruislaan 302, 1098 SM, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Maurice W. Sabelis

Authors
  1. Marcel Dicke
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Maurice W. Sabelis
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Marijke De Jong
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Marcel P. T. Alers
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Dicke, M., Sabelis, M.W., De Jong, M. et al. Do phytoseiid mites select the best prey species in terms of reproductive success?. Exp Appl Acarol 8, 161–173 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01194177

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01194177

Keywords

Search

Navigation