Experimental and Applied Acarology (2008) 44, 101-106

M. Montserrat, F. de la Peña, J.I. Hormaza and J.J. González-Fernández (2008)
How do Neoseiulus californicus (Acari: Phytoseiidae) females penetrate densely webbed spider mite nests?
Experimental and Applied Acarology 44 (2), 101-106
Abstract: The persea mite Oligonychus perseae is a pest of avocado trees that builds extremely dense webbed nests that protect them against natural enemies, including phytoseiid mites. Nests have one or two marginal entrances that are small and flattened. The predatory mite Neoseiulus californicus co-occurs with O. perseae in the avocado orchards of the south-east of Spain. Penetration inside nests through the entrances by this predator is thought to be hindered by its size and its globular-shaped body. However, in the field it has repeatedly been found inside nests that were clearly ripped. Perhaps penetration of the nests has been facilitated by nest wall ripping caused by some other species or by unfavourable abiotic factors. However, to assess whether N. californicus is also able to enter the nest of O. perseae by itself, we carried out laboratory experiments and made a short film. They show how this predator manages to overcome the webbed wall, and that it can penetrate and forage inside nests of O. perseae.
(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): Marta Montserrat

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

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Oligonychus perseae	Avocado (Persea americana)	Spain (continental)
Neoseiulus californicus (predator)	Oligonychus perseae	Avocado (Persea americana)	Spain (continental)