Ecological Entomology (2002) 27, 660-664
Farid Faraji, Arne Janssen and Maurice W. Sabelis (2002)
Oviposition patterns in a predatory mite reduce the risk of egg predation caused by prey
Ecological Entomology 27 (6), 660-664
Abstract: 1. Predatory arthropods lay their eggs such that their offspring have sufficient prey at their disposal and run a low risk of being eaten by conspecific and heterospecific predators, but what happens if the prey attacks eggs of the predator?
2. The egg distribution and time allocation of adult female predatory mites Iphiseius degenerans as affected by predation of their eggs by prey, the western flower thrips Frankliniella occidentalis, were studied on sweet pepper plants. The predatory mites attack the first instar of thrips but all active stages of thrips are capable of killing the eggs of the predator; however the predatory mite is used for biological control of thrips.
3. The majority of predatory mite eggs was laid on the underside of leaves in hair tufts (domatia). During the experiment, females spent increasing amounts of time in flowers where they fed on pollen and thrips larvae. The risk of predation on predator eggs by thrips was lower on leaves than in flowers where the majority of thrips resides. Moreover, predation risk was higher outside leaf domatia than inside.
4. This suggests that predators avoid ovipositing in places with abundant prey to prevent their eggs from being eaten by thrips.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Arne Janssen, Maurice W. Sabelis
Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
general biology - morphology - evolution
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
environment/habitat manipulation
general biology - morphology - evolution
Pest and/or beneficial records:
| Beneficial | Pest/Disease/Weed | Crop/Product | Country | Quarant.
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frankliniella occidentalis | ||||
| Iphiseius degenerans (predator) | Frankliniella occidentalis |
