Ecological Entomology (2008) 33, 374-379
João A.M. Ferreira, Brechtje Eshuis, Arne Janssen and Maurice W. Sabelis (2008)
Domatia reduce larval cannibalism in predatory mites
Ecological Entomology 33 (3), 374-379
Abstract: 1. Acarodomatia are small structures on the underside of leaves of many plant species, which are mainly inhabited by carnivorous and fungivorous mites.
2. Domatia are thought to protect these mites against adverse environmental conditions and against predation. They are considered as an indirect plant defence; they provide shelter to predators and fungivores and these in turn protect the plants against herbivores and fungi.
3. We studied the possible role of domatia of coffee (Coffea arabica L.) (Rubiaceae) and sweet pepper (Capsicum annum L.) (Solanaceae) in reducing cannibalism in the mites inhabiting the domatia. We measured cannibalism of larvae by adults of the predatory mites Iphiseiodes zuluagai Denmark and Muma and Amblyseius herbicolus Chant on coffee leaf discs and of the predatory mite Iphiseius degenerans (Berl.) on sweet pepper leaf. Domatia were closed with glue or left open.
4. Cannibalism in all three species increased when domatia were closed. With I. degenerans, moreover, we found that the previous diet of the cannibal attenuated the effect of domatia on cannibalism.
5. We conclude that domatia can protect young predatory mites against cannibalism by adults and that the diet of cannibals affects the rate of cannibalism.
(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
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
environment/habitat manipulation
Pest and/or beneficial records:
| Beneficial | Pest/Disease/Weed | Crop/Product | Country | Quarant.
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iphiseius degenerans (predator) | ||||
| Amblyseius herbicolus (predator) | ||||
| Iphiseiodes zuluagai (predator) |
