Combined versus Single Species Release of Predaceous Mites: Predator–Predator Interactions and Pest Suppression

Interactions such as competition, intraguild predation (IGP), and cannibalism affect the development and coexistence of predator populations and can have significance for biological control of commonly exploited pest organisms. We studied the consequences of combined versus single release of two predaceous mite species (Phytoseiidae), with differing degrees of diet specialization, on their population dynamics and the suppression of the carmine spider mite, Tetranychus cinnabarinus Boisduval (Tetranychidae), on greenhouse-grown gerbera. Population growth of the specialist predator Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot was greater and population decline steeper when released in combination with the generalist Neoseiulus californicus McGregor than when released alone. In contrast, the N. californicus population grew and declined more gradually when released in combination with P. persimilis, compared to the single species release. The differential impact on each other's population dynamics can be primarily attributed to contrasting properties in competition, IGP, and cannibalism. At the same overall predator density and as long as prey was abundant, the specialist P. persimilis was more strongly affected by intraspecific competition than by interspecific competition with the generalist N. californicus. In contrast, interspecific competition with P. persimilis had a greater impact on N. californicus than intraspecific competition. After prey depletion, the generalist predator N. californicus was more likely to engage in IGP than was the specialist predator P. persimilis. Overall, the study demonstrates that prey specificity has significance for the quality and intensity of predator–predator interactions and indicates potential implications for biological control of spider mites. All predator releases (i.e., either species alone and both species in combination) resulted in reduction of the spider mite population to zero density. Individual release of the specialist P. persimilis led to the most rapid spider mite suppression. Nonetheless, in perennial greenhouse-grown crops P. persimilis and N. californicus could have complementary effects and a combination of the two predators could enhance long-term biological control of spider mites. The potential risks and benefits associated with the release of both species are discussed.     

强度石漠化区不同植被修复模式下土壤螨类群落差异

石漠化治理区不同植被修复模式下的土壤螨类群落差异反映了生态系统的恢复状况,可籍以反映石漠化治理的生态效果。2014年1月、4月、8月和10月,对贵州花江喀斯特峡谷区顶坛小流域强度石漠化区域的"花椒"、"金银花"、"花椒+金银花"3种植被修复生境的土壤螨类进行了调查,共捕获土壤螨类1372头,隶属3目55科89属。采用类群(属)数、个体数量、个体密度、多样性指数(H')、丰富度指数(SR)、均匀性指数(J)、相似性指数(CN)、捕食性螨类成熟度指数(MI)和甲螨MGP类群等参数对土壤螨类群落差异进行了表征。结果显示,花椒林拥有较丰富的螨类属,金银花林拥有较高的的个体数量和个体密度。不同模式下的科、属类群组成呈现差异;属数、个体数量存在一定的季节差异,花椒林的螨类属数、金银花林的螨类个体数量和个体密度呈现一定的表聚性;群落多样性大多存在季节差异;捕食性革螨以r选择型为主,甲螨主要为O型和M型。研究表明,强度石漠化在不同植被修复模式下,土壤螨类生物生态类群存在差异,土壤生态系统仍处于修复之中,其中螨类优势属、具有典型生物学与生态学特性差异的螨类类群对石漠化治理的生态效果具有重要的指示作用。     

CO2 flux dynamics and its limiting factors in the alpine shrub-meadow and steppe-meadow on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau

高寒灌丛草甸和草甸均是青藏高原广泛分布的植被类型, 在生态系统碳通量和区域碳循环中具有极其重要的作用。然而迄今为止, 对其碳通量动态的时空变异还缺乏比较分析, 对碳通量的季节和年际变异的主导影响因子认识还不够清晰, 不利于深入理解生态系统碳通量格局及其形成机制。该研究选取位于青藏高原东部海北站高寒灌丛草甸和高原腹地当雄站高寒草原化草甸年降水量相近的5年(2004-2008年)的涡度相关CO₂通量连续观测数据, 对生态系统净初级生产力(NEP)及其组分, 包括总初级生产力(GPP)和生态系统呼吸的季节、年际动态及其影响因子进行了对比分析。结果表明: 灌丛草甸的CO₂通量无论是季节还是年际累积量均高于草原化草甸, 并且连续5年表现为“碳汇”, 平均每年NEP为70 g C·m ^-2·a ^-1, 高寒草原化草甸平均每年NEP为-5 g C·m ^-2·a ^-1, 几乎处于碳平衡状态, 但其源/汇动态极不稳定, 在2006年-88 g C·m ^-2·a ^-1的“碳源”至2008年54 g C·m ^-2·a ^-1的“碳汇”之间转换, 具有较大的变异性。这两种高寒生态系统源/汇动态的差异主要源于归一化植被指数(NDVI)的差异, 因为NDVI无论在年际水平还是季节水平都是NEP最直接的影响因子; 其次, 灌丛草甸还具有较高的碳利用效率(CUE, CUE = NEP/GPP), 而年降水量和NDVI是决定两生态系统CUE大小的关键因子。两地区除了CO₂通量大小的差异外, 其环境影响因子也有所不同。采用结构方程模型进行的通径分析表明, 灌丛草甸生长季节CO₂通量的主要限制因子是温度, NEP和GPP主要受气温控制, 随着气温升高而增加; 而草原化草甸的CO₂通量多以季节性干旱导致的水分限制为主, 其次才是气温的影响, 受二者的共同限制。此外, 两生态系统生长季节生态系统呼吸主要受GPP和5 cm土壤温度的直接影响, 其中GPP起主导作用, 非生长季节生态系统呼吸主要受5 cm土壤温度影响。该研究还表明, 水热因子的协调度是决定青藏高原高寒草地GPP和NEP的关键要素。     

Conflict between antipredator and antiparasite behaviour in larval damselflies

 Larval damselflies resist infestation by parasitic larval mites by exhibiting behaviours such as grooming, crawling, swimming, and striking at host-seeking mites. Larval damselflies are known to increase time spent in these behaviours in the presence of mites but reduce time spent in these behaviours in the presence of fish predators. The presence of both fish and larval mites presents an obvious conflict: a larval damselfly may actively avoid parasitism by mites, thus increasing its risk of predation, or it may reduce its activity when fish are present, thus increasing its risk of parasitism. We analysed the behaviour of larval Ischnura verticalis in an experiment where we crossed presence and absence of fish with presence and absence of larval mites. Presence of mites induced a large increase in activity of larval I. verticalis but fish had no effect and there were no interpretable interactions between effects of mites and fish. Subsequent experiments indicated that larval I. verticalis in the presence of both mites and fish were more likely to be attacked and killed by fish than those exposed only to fish. The high activity level of I. verticalis larvae in the presence of both fish and mites may suggest that costs of parasitism are high, or that under field conditions it is rare for larvae to be in the immediate presence of both fish predators and potentially parasitic mites. Received: 28 March 1996 / Accepted: 6 September 1996     

Factors affecting the presence of Typhlodromusspp. (Acarina: Phytoseiidae) in the calyx cavities of apple fruits and implications for integrated pest management

Predatory mites of the family Phytoseiidae include several species of importance as biological control agents of phytophagous mites in various crops including apples. We report on the post-harvest presence of the motiles of two species, Typhlodromus occidentalis and Typhlodromus pyri, in the calyx cavities of apple fruits of three cultivars. The mean numbers of motiles per fruit were as high as 6.10. The phytoseiid densities were lowest in cv. Bonza and tended to be greater in samples taken in late autumn, particularly in cv. Red Delicious. No significant effect (p > 0.05) was observed for different insecticide treatments. Phytoseiids remained present within fruits of cv. Granny Smith left on the orchard floor in winter. Together with an observed reduction in the numbers of T. occidentalis in the early spring, this suggests that fruits constitute an overwintering refuge. The findings are discussed in relation to the implications for biological control, in particular the minimization of the removal of natural enemies from orchards. This revised version was published online in November 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

ISOLATION OF RICKETTSIA TSUTSUGAMUSHI FROM TROMBICULID MITES (ACARI:TROMBICULIDAE) IN FEIXIAN COUNTY, SHANDONG PROVINCE, CHINA

Abstract  Investigations on trombiculid mites and isolation of Rickettsia tsutsugamushi therefrom were carried out in Feixian County, Shandong Province. A total of 11 762 trombiculid mites, consisting of 5 species from two genera, were collected from 352 rodents (including 247 Apodemus agrarius , 80 Cricetulus triton , 23 Rattus noruegicus , 2 Crocidura suaveolens ), and Walchia pacifica was the most predominant (36.73%), followed by Leptotrombididium linhuaikonense (24.04%), L. scutellare (21.65%), L. palpale (13. 57%), and L. taishanium (3. 96%). L. scutellare was found from September to December with a remarkable peak in November, whereas L. palpale occurred from October to April (the second year) with peak in December. L. linhuaikonense was found from May to November, with peak in August. W. pacifica appeared from April to December with peak in July. R. tsutsugamushi was isolated from L. scutellare, L. palpale, L. linhuaikonense and W. pacifica . The main serotypes of R. tsutsugamushi isolated from the chigger mites were of the Gilliam type, but Karp type also existed in L. linhuaikonense . These results indicate that the surveyed area has a high probability of occurrence of tsutsugamushi disease, and L. scutellare, L. palpale, L. linhuaikonense and W. pacifica may serve as the vectors in this area. It is suggested that L. scutellare is the most important vector which has caused the endemic of this disease in Feixian County.     

Landmark superimposition for taxonomic identification

The identification of organisms is a time-consuming task even for highly specialized researchers. Many ways to accelerate the identification process have been devised – from pictorial keys to automatic, machine identification – with different degrees of success. This paper explores landmark configurations as an aid to taxonomic identification. The basic hypothesis rests on the analogy between human fingerprints and organism landmark configuration. Translated into biological terms, it asks whether individual landmark configurations can be used as diagnostic characteristics for species identification. Water mites of the genus Torrenticola were used as test organisms. The results show that identification can be made simpler through the use of landmark configurations.  © 2004 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2004, 81 , 267–274.     

Population dynamics of Oligonychus afrasiaticus in the southern Arava Valley of Israel in relation to date fruit characteristics and climatic conditions

1 Oligonychus afrasiaticus, the old world date mite, is a serious pest of dates in North Africa and the Near East, including Israel. It attacks and rapidly develops when the fruit is young and green. Mite phenology is affected by date cultivar, but the relationship between fruit characteristics and mite population development is unknown. 2 We report that mite establishment on the main cultivars grown in Israel, ‘Medjool’, ‘Barhi’ and ‘Deglet Noor’, began only when the water content of the fruit increased to ≥ 84%. Fruit bunch architecture and resistance to penetration, as well as sugar composition and content, were not key factors in mite establishment. 3 Later in the season, when total sugar levels reached ≥ 150 mg/g fresh fruit weight, total soluble solids comprised 15% and water content decreased to ≤ 75%, mite populations declined. 4 Yearly climatic variations could be responsible for phenological asynchrony between the pest and fruit development.     

Dispersal of diapausing Tetranychus urticae and T. kanzawai

The spider mites Tetranychus urticae Koch and Tetranychus kanzawai Kishida (Acari: Tetranychidae) overwinter mostly as mated adult diapausing females. Their overwintering survival depends in part on their dispersal towards suitable habitats. We investigated the dispersal behaviour of diapausing females of T. urticae and T. kanzawai with respect to factors known to affect the dispersal of non‐diapausing mites: light, population density, gravity, and humidity. In general, diapausing females of T. urticae showed a stronger tendency to disperse than did those of T. kanzawai under all test conditions. High population density promoted the dispersal of diapausing T. urticae, but not of T. kanzawai. Dispersal of diapausing females of both species was not significantly affected by gravity, humidity, or whether feeding damage was caused by conspecifics or heterospecifics. On plants, more T. urticae than T. kanzawai moved downward. We propose that dispersal after the onset of diapause may be an important life‐history strategy in T. urticae, but not in T. kanzawai.