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Ontogenetic shifts in intraguild predation on thrips by phytoseiid mites: the relevance of body size and diet specialization

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 March 2007

A. Walzer ,
H.F. Paulus  and
P. Schausberger
A. Walzer*
Affiliation:
Department of Applied Plant Sciences and Plant Biotechnology, Institute of Plant Protection, University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences, Peter Jordanstrasse 82, A-1190 Vienna, Austria Institute of Zoology, Department of Evolutionary Biology, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
H.F. Paulus
Affiliation:
Institute of Zoology, Department of Evolutionary Biology, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
P. Schausberger
Affiliation:
Department of Applied Plant Sciences and Plant Biotechnology, Institute of Plant Protection, University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences, Peter Jordanstrasse 82, A-1190 Vienna, Austria
*
*Fax. + 43 1 47654 3359 E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

In greenhouse agroecosystems, a guild of spider mite predators may consist of the oligophagous predatory mite Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot, the polyphagous predatory mite Neoseiulus californicus McGregor (both Acari: Phytoseiidae) and the primarily herbivorous but facultatively predatory western flower thrips Frankliniella occidentalis Pergande (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). Diet-specialization and the predator body size relative to prey are crucial factors in predation on F. occidentalis by P. persimilis and N. californicus. Here, it was tested whether the relevance of these factors changes during predator ontogeny. First, the predator (protonymphs and adult females of P. persimilis and N. californicus): prey (F. occidentalis first instars) body size ratios were measured. Second, the aggressiveness of P. persimilis and N. californicus towards F. occidentalis was assessed. Third, survival, development and oviposition of P. persimilis and N. californicus with F. occidentalis prey was determined. The body size ranking was P. persimilis females > N. californicus females > P. persimilis protonymphs > N. californicus protonymphs. Neoseiulus californicus females were the most aggressive predators, followed by highly aggressive N. californicus protonymphs and moderately aggressive P. persimilis protonymphs. Phytoseiulus persimilis females did not attack thrips. Frankliniella occidentalis larvae are an alternative prey for juvenile N. californicus and P. persimilis, enabling them to reach adulthood. Females of N. californicus but not P. persimilis sustained egg production with thrips prey. Within the guild studied here, N. californicus females are the most harmful predators for F. occidentalis larvae, followed by N. californicus and P. persimilis juveniles. Phytoseiulus persimilis females are harmless to F. occidentalis.

Type
Research Article
Information
Bulletin of Entomological Research , Volume 94 , Issue 6 , December 2004 , pp. 577 - 584
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2004

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