Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Inter- and intraspecific predation on immatures by adult females in Euseius finlandicus, Typhlodromus pyri and Kampimo dromus aberrans (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

  • Published:
Experimental & Applied Acarology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In a series of experiments, the interspecific predation and cannibalism on immatures by the adult females of Euseius finlandicus, Kampimodromus aberrans and Typhlodromus pyri were examined under laboratory conditions. The three species showed differing tendencies to prey on each other's motile immature stages. Euseius finlandicus females consumed more larvae and protonymphs than the females of T. pyri and K. aberrans. In cages without free water E. finlandicus ate a range of 6.51 larvae or 5.31 protonymphs of T. pyri and 5.27 larvae or 5.95 protonymphs of K. aberrans per female per day. Kampimodromus aberrans and T. pyri females exhibited a greater tendency to prey on heterospecifics than on conspecifics. When feeding on phytoseiid immatures and without free water, T. pyri females survived longer and laid more eggs than the females of E. finlandicus and K. aberrans. Adult females of E. finlandicus and T. pyri having free water and preying on heterospecific protonymphs were able to maintain egg laying during the whole experimental period of 12 days. The females of all three species had difficulties in piercing phytoseiid eggs, and the number of sucked eggs per female per day was low. Kampimodromus aberrans females ate 0.48 eggs of T. pyri daily, which was the highest recorded number. The great tendency to interspecific predation on motile immature phytoseiids by the females of E. finlandicus is discussed with regard to the dominance of this species on deciduous trees and bushes in Austria.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

REFERENCES

  • Amano, H. and Chant, D.A. 1990. Species diversity and seasonal dynamics of Acari on abandoned apple trees in Southern Ontario, Canada. Exp. Appl. Acarol. 8: 71–96.

    Google Scholar 

  • Berner, M. 1990. Untersuchungen zur Biologie von Typhlodromus tiliarum (Oudemans) und Typhlodromus pyri Scheuten (Acarina: Phytoseiidae). Dissertation, University of Vienna.

  • Böhm, H. 1960. Untersuchungen über Spinnmilbenfeinde in Österreich. Pflanzenschutz-Berichte XXV, Heft 1/8: 23–46.

    Google Scholar 

  • Castagnoli, M. and Liguori, M. 1985. Prime osservazioni sul comportamento di Kampimodromus aberrans (Oud.), Typhlodromus exhilaratus Ragusa e Phytoseius plumifer (Can. e. Fanz.) (Acarina: Phytoseiidae) sulla vite in Toscana. Redia LXVIII: 323–337.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chant, D.A. 1959. Phytoseiid mites (Acarina: Phytoseiidae). Part I. Bionomics of seven species in Southeastern England. Can. Entomol. 12: 5–44.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clements, D.R. and Harmsen, R., 1990. Predatory behaviour and prey-stage preferences of stigmaeid and phytoseiid mites and their potential compatibility in biological control. Can. Entomol. 122: 321–328.

    Google Scholar 

  • Collyer, E. 1958. Some insectary experiments with predacious mites to determine their effect on the development of Metatetranychus ulmi (Koch) populations. Entomol. Exp. Appl. 1: 138–146.

    Google Scholar 

  • Collyer, E. 1964. The effect of an alternative food supply on the relationship between two Typhlodromus species and Panonychus ulmi (Koch) (Acarina). Entomol. Exp. Appl. 7: 120–124.

    Google Scholar 

  • Croft, B.A. and Croft, M.B. 1993. Larval survival and feeding by immature Metaseiulus occidentalis, Neoseiulus fallacis, Amblyseius andersoni and Typhlodromus pyri on life stage groups of Tetranychus urticae Koch and phytoseiid larvae. Exp. Appl. Acarol. 17: 685–693.

    Google Scholar 

  • Croft, B.A. and MacRae, I.V. 1992a. Biological control of apple mites by mixed populations of Metaseiulus occidentalis (Nesbitt) and Typhlodromus pyri Scheuten (Acari: Phytoseiidae). Environ. Entomol. 21/1: 202–209.

    Google Scholar 

  • Croft, B.A. and MacRae, I.V. 1992b. Persistence of Typhlodromus pyri and Metaseiulus occidentalis (Acari: Phytoseiidae) on apple after release and competition with Zetzellia mali (Acari: Stigmaeidae). Environ. Entomol. 21/5: 1168–1177.

    Google Scholar 

  • Croft, B.A. and MacRae, I.V. 1993. Biological control of apple mites: impact of Zetzellia mali (Acari: Stigmaeidae) on Typhlodromus pyri and Metaseiulus occidentalis (Acari: Phytoseiidae). Environ. Entomol. 22/4: 865–873.

    Google Scholar 

  • Croft, B.A. and Zhang, Z.-Q. 1994. Walking, feeding and intraspecific interaction of larvae of Metaseiulus occidentalis, Typhlodromus pyri, Neoseiulus fallacis and Amblyseius andersoni held with and without eggs of Tetranychus urticae. Exp. Appl. Acarol. 18: 567–580.

    Google Scholar 

  • Croft, B.A., MacRae, I.V. and Currans, K.G. 1992. Factors affecting biological control of apple mites by mixed populations of Metaseiulus occidentalis and Typhlodromus pyri. Exp. Appl. Acarol. 14: 343–355.

    Google Scholar 

  • De Moraes, G., McMurtry, J. and Denmark, H.A. 1986. A Catalog of the Mite Family Phytoseiidae. References to Taxonomy, Synonymy, Distribution and Habitat. EMBRAPA, DDT, Brasilia.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dicke, M. 1988. Prey preference of the phytoseiid mite Typhlodromus pyri 1. Response to volatile kairomones. Exp. Appl. Acarol. 4: 1–13.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dicke, M., Sabelis, M.W. and de Jong, M. 1988. Analysis of prey preference in phytoseiid mites by using olfactometer, predation models and electrophoresis. Exp. Appl. Acarol. 5: 225–241.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dicke, M., Sabelis, M.W., Jong de, M. and Alers, M.P.T. 1990. Do phytoseiid mites select the best prey species in terms of reproductive success? Exp. Appl. Acarol. 8: 161–173.

    Google Scholar 

  • Duso, C. 1989. Role of the predatory mites Amblyseius aberrans (Oud.), Typhlodromus pyri Scheuten and Amblyseius andersoni (Chant) (Acari, Phytoseiidae) in vineyards. I. The effects of single or mixed phytoseiid population releases on spider mite densities (Acari, Tetraychidae). J. Appl. Entomol. 107: 474–492.

    Google Scholar 

  • Duso, C. and Pasqualetto, C., 1993. Factors affecting the potential of phytoseiid mites (Acari: Phytoseiidae) as biocontrol agents in north-Italian vineyards. Exp. Appl. Acarol. 17: 241–258.

    Google Scholar 

  • Duso, C., Pasqualetto, C. and Camporese, P. 1991. Role of the predatory mites Amblyseius aberrans (Oud.), Typhlodromus pyri Scheuten and Amblyseius andersoni (Chant) (Acari, Phytoseiidae) in vineyards. II. Minimum releases of A. aberrans and T. pyri to control spider mite populations (Acari, Tetraychidae). J. Appl. Entomol. 112: 298–308.

    Google Scholar 

  • El Borolossy, M. 1989. Untersuchungen über die Verbreitung verschiedener Raubmilbenarten in österreichischen Obstanbaugebieten. Dissertation, Universität für Bodenkultur Wien.

  • El Borolossy, M. and Fischer-Colbrie, P. 1989. Untersuchungen zum Artenspektrum von Raubmilben im österreichischen Obst-und Weinbau. Pflanzenschutzberichte 50/2: 49–63.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fischer-Colbrie, P. and El Borolossy, M. 1990. Untersuchungen zum Einfluß des Klimas, der Pflanzenart und der Wirtstiere auf das Vorkommen verschiedener Raubmilbenarten im österreichischen Obst-und Weinbau. Pflanzenschutzberichte 51/3: 101–126.

    Google Scholar 

  • Genini, M., Klay, A., Delucchi, V., Baillod, M. and Baumgärtner, J. 1983. Les especes de Phytoseiides (Acarina: Phytoseiidae) dans les vergers de pommier en Suisse. Mitteilungen der Schweizerischen Entomologischen Gesellschaft 56: 45–56.

    Google Scholar 

  • Herbert, H.J. 1959. Note on feeding ranges of six species of predaceous mites (Acarina: Phytoseiidae) in the laboratory. Can. Entomol. 91: 812.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hirschler, B. 1994. Untersuchugen zur Biologie und Massenzucht von Amblyseius finlandicus Oudemans (Acarina: Phytoseiidae). Diplomarbeit, Universität für Bodenkultur Wien.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hluchy, M. and Pospisil, Z. 1991. Use of the predatory mite Typhlodromus pyri Scheuten (Acari: Phytoseiidae) for biological protection of grape vines from phytophagous mites. In Vol. 2, F. Dusbabek and V. Bukra (eds), pp. 655–660. Modern acarology, Academia, Prague and SPB Academic Publishing bv, The Hague.

    Google Scholar 

  • Huffaker, C.B. 1948. An improved cage for work with small insects. J. Econ. Entomol. 41: 648–649.

    Google Scholar 

  • Karg, W. 1972. Untersuchungen über die Korrelation zwischen dominierenden Raubmilbenarten und ihrer möglichen Beute in Apfelanlagen. Archiv f. Pflanzenschutz 8/1: 29–52.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kostiainen, T. and Hoy, M.A. 1994. Egg-harvesting allows large scale rearing of Amblyseius finlandicus (Acari: Phytoseiidae) in the laboratory. Exp. Appl. Acarol. 18, 155–165.

    Google Scholar 

  • Krantz, G.W. 1973. Dissemination of Kampimodromus aberrans by the filbert aphid. J. Econ. Entomol. 66/2: 575–576.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kropczynska, D. 1970. Biologia in ekologia drapieznego roztocza Typhlodromus finlandicus (Oud.) (Acarina: Phytoseiidae). Zeszyty Problemowe Postepow Nauk Rolniczych 109: 11–41.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kropczynska, D., van de Vrie, M. and Tomczyk, A. 1988. Bionomics of Eotetranychus tiliarum and its phytoseiid predators. Exp. Appl. Acarol. 5: 65–81.

    Google Scholar 

  • McMurtry, J.A. 1982. The use of phytoseiids for biological control: progress and future prospects. In: Recent advances in knowledge of the Phytoseiidae, M. A. Hoy (ed.). Agricultural Sciences Publications — University of California, Berkeley.

    Google Scholar 

  • MacRae, I.V. and Croft, B.A. 1993. Influence of temperature on interspecific predation and cannibalism between Metaseiulus occidentalis (Nesbitt) and Typhlodromus pyri Scheuten (Acari: Phytoseiidae). Environ. Entomol. 22: 770–775.

    Google Scholar 

  • Odum, E.P. 1983. Grundlagen der Ökologie — in 2 Bänden. Georg Thieme Verlag, Stuttgart and New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Overmeer, W.P.J. 1981. Notes on breeding phytoseiid mites from orchards (Acarina: Phytoseiidae) in the laboratory. Med. Fac. Landbouww. Rijksuniv. Gent 46/2: 503–509.

    Google Scholar 

  • Overmeer, W.P.J., Doodeman, M. and van Zon, A.Q. 1982. Copulation and egg production in Amblyseius potentillae and Typhlodromus pyri (Acari, Phytoseiidae). Zeitschrift f. Angew. Entomol. 93/1: 1–11.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sabelis, M.W. 1985. Long-range dispersal and searching behaviour. In Spider mites. Their biology, natural enemies and control, Vol. 1B, W. Helle and M. W. Sabelis (eds), pp. 141–160.

  • Santos, M.A. 1989. Intraspecific competition in developing Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Acari: Acaridae). Int. J. Acarol. 15: 107–110.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schausberger, P. 1990. Vergleichende Untersuchungen zur Biologie von Amblyseius aberrans Oud. und Amblyseius finlandicus Oud. (Gamasida, Phytoseiidae). Dissertation, University of Vienna.

  • Schausberger, P. 1991. Vergleichende Untersuchungen zum Lebensverlauf, die Erstellung von lebenstafeln und die Vermehrungskapzität von Amblyseius aberrans Oud. und Amblyseius finlandicus Oud. (Acari: Phytoseiidae). Pflanzenschutzberichte 52/2: 53–71.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schausberger, P. 1992. Vergleichende Untersuchungen über den Einfluß unterschiedlicher Nahrung auf die Präimaginalentwicklung und die Reproduktion von Amblyseius aberrans Oud. und Amblyseius finlandicus Oud. (Acarina, Phytoseiidae). J. Appl. Entomol. 113: 476–486.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schönberg, A. 1992. Über das Vorkommen von Raubmilben (Acarina: Phytoseiidae) und phytophagen Milben auf Reben und Umgebungsgehözen im südlichen Niederösterreich (Weinbaugebiet Thermenregion). Dissertation, University of Vienna.

  • Schruft, G. 1967. Das Vorkommen räuberischer Milben aus der Familie Phytoseiidae (Acari; Mesostigmata) an Reben. III. Beitrag über Untersuchungen zur Faunistik und Biologie der Milben (Acari) an Kultur-Reben (Vitis spec.). Wein — Wissenschaft 22: 184–196.

    Google Scholar 

  • Steeghs, N., Nedstam, B. and Lundqvist, L. 1993. Predatory mites of the family Phytoseiidae (Acari, Mesostigmata) from South Sweden. Ent. Tidskr. 114: 19–27.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tuovinen, T. 1993. Phytoseiid mites (Acari, Gamasina) in Finnish apple plantations with reference to integrated control of phytophagous mites. Agricul. Sci. Finland 2(Suppl. 1).

  • Tuovinen, T. and Rokx, J.A.H. 1991. Phytoseiid mites (Acari: Phytoseiidae) on apple trees and in surrounding vegetation in southern Finland. Densities and species composition. Exp. Appl. Acarol. 12: 35–46.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van de Vrie, M. 1985. Apple. In Spider mites. Their biology, natural enemies and control, Vol. 1B. W. Helle and M. W. Sabelis (eds). pp. 311–323. Oxford, New York, Tokyo.

  • Walde, S.J., Nyrop, J.P. and Hardman, J.M. 1992. Dynamics of Panonychus ulmi and Typhlodromus pyri: factors contributing to persistence. Exp. Appl. Acarol. 14: 261–291.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yao, D.S. and Chant, D.A. 1989. Population growth and predation interference between two species of predatory phytoseiid mites (Acarina: Phytoseiiidae) in interactive systems. Oecologia 80: 443–455.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, Z.-Q. and Croft, B.A. 1995. Intraspecific competition in immature Amblyseius fallacis, Amblyseius andersoni, Typhlodromus occidentalis and Typhlodromus pyri (Acari: Phytoseiidae). Exp. Appl. Acarol. 19: 65–77.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Bundesamt und Forschungszentrum fur Landwirtschaft, Institut fur Phytomedizin Spargelfeldstra 191, A-1226, Vienna, Austria

    Peter Schausberger

Authors
  1. Peter Schausberger
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Schausberger, P. Inter- and intraspecific predation on immatures by adult females in Euseius finlandicus, Typhlodromus pyri and Kampimo dromus aberrans (Acari: Phytoseiidae). Exp Appl Acarol 21, 131–150 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1018478418010

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1018478418010

Search

Navigation