Experimental and Applied Acarology (1999) 23, 21-40

R. Zemek and G. Nachman (1999)
Interactions in a tritrophic acarine predator-prey metapopulation system: prey location and distance moved by Phytoseiulus persimilis (Acari : Phytoseiidae)
Experimental and Applied Acarology 23 (1), 21-40
Abstract: The between-plant movement of the predatory mite Phytoseiulus persimilis was studied in a greenhouse. The aims were to determine the distance moved by P. persimilis and the response of the predator to the location of a plant infested with two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae. In addition, we tested whether the predator exhibits random movement between plants or whether its dispersal is oriented. We found that a high proportion of the predators released on a central plant were able to reach plants at the periphery provided the plants were connected to the central plant with 'bridges'. The results further showed that P. persimilis does not disperse randomly to the surrounding plants. The distribution of immigrants was influenced by the position of an infested plant in the neighbourhood, but light/shadow effects in the greenhouse may also influence the choice of direction. The likely implications of the findings for biological control are discussed.
(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): Rostislav Zemek, Gösta Nachman

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
environment/habitat manipulation
general biology - morphology - evolution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
Phytoseiulus persimilis (predator)	Tetranychus urticae