Experimental and Applied Acarology (2004) 34, 307-314

Annemarie Kroon, René L. Veenendaal, Jan Bruin, Martijn Egas and Maurice W. Sabelis (2004)
Predation risk affects diapause induction in the spider mite Tetranychus urticae
Experimental and Applied Acarology 34 (3-4), 307-314
Abstract: Whenever diapause induction triggers movement into another microhabitat or the development of protective morphological structures, this may also alter predation risk. If the risk of being eaten is lower in the diapause phase, then there may be selection favouring diapause induction in response to predators or their cues. In this article, we studied the effect of the predatory mite Typhlodromus pyri on diapause induction in the spider mite Tetranychus urticae. We used a Greek strain because under long-night photoperiods and low temperature only part of the population enters diapause, thereby leaving room for the impact of another factor. In spider mite groups under predation, the percentage diapause induction increased whenever night-lengths were such that diapause was induced (13-16 h of night). Given this diapause induction in response to predation risk, the question arises whether entering diapause helps spider mites to escape from predation and contribute more offspring to the spring generation next year.
(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): Martijn Egas, Maurice W. Sabelis

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
environment - cropping system/rotation
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
environment/habitat manipulation

---

Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Tetranychus urticae
Typhlodromus pyri (predator)	Tetranychus urticae