Abstract
Interspecific predation, cannibalism and associated oviposition rates were evaluated in Amblyseius andersoni Chant, Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor), Typhlodromus exhilaratus Ragusa and T. kerkirae Swirski & Ragusa, which are widespread on agricultural crops in Central Italy. Young ovipositing females of each species coming from long-term mass-rearing on pollen were starved and then isolated on artificial arenas with a large number of con- or heterospecific protonymphs. The females were checked daily over a ten day period to assess predation, oviposition and survival.
Depending on protonymph species supplied, the number of prey eaten per day ranged from 0.12 (T. kerkirae preying on itself) to 7.44 (A. andersoni on N. californicus), while daily oviposition rates from 0 (T. exhilaratus on itself) to 1.21 (A. andersoni on T. kerkirae). Predation and oviposition rates on conspecifics were always very low, while on heterospecifics A. andersoni exceeded all other species. The mortality in the period was limited. With the exception of A. andersoni previously reared on heterospecifics, when the surviving females were fed on pollen for a further ten days, a considerable increase in oviposition rates was observed.
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Castagnoli, M., Liguori, M., Simoni, S. (2002). Interspecific predation and cannibalism in four phytoseiid species of the Mediterranean area (Acari: Phytoseiidae). In: Bernini, F., Nannelli, R., Nuzzaci, G., de Lillo, E. (eds) Acarid Phylogeny and Evolution: Adaptation in Mites and Ticks. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-0611-7_35
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-0611-7_35
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