Odour-mediated responses of a predatory mirid bug and its prey, the two-spotted spider mite

It has been shown that many natural enemies of herbivorous arthropods use herbivore induced plant volatiles (HIPVs) to locate their prey. Herbivores can also exploit cues emitted by plants infested with heterospecifics or conspecifics. A study was conducted to test whether green bean HIPVs as well as odours emitted directly by spider mites influenced the orientation behaviour of the predatory mirid bug, Macrolophus caliginosus and its prey, Tetranychus urticae in a Y-tube olfactometer. Our results show that both spider mites and M. caliginosus preferred spider mite infested green bean plants to uninfested plants. For M. caliginosus this response was mediated by HIPVs whereas for T. urticae it was mediated through a composite response to both HIPVs and odours emitted directly by the conspecifics (and their associated products). The results may be of use in practical biocontrol situations, through e.g., plant breeding for improved HIPV production, conditioning of mass-reared predators to appropriate cues, and employment of “push–pull-strategies” by using HIPVs.     

东亚小花蝽对西方花蓟马和二斑叶螨的捕食选择性

多食性天敌对猎物的捕食选择性及猎物密度对天敌捕食的干扰作用直接影响到天敌对不同猎物的控制作用.在实验室条件下研究了东亚小花蝽对西方花蓟马和/或二斑叶螨不同虫态的捕食选择性,以及两猎物中一种猎物的密度变化对小花蝽取食另一种猎物的影响.结果如下:东亚小花蝽5龄若虫和成虫对西方花蓟马2龄若虫的捕食选择性均强于对其成虫,对二斑叶螨的选择性为雌成螨>若螨>幼螨.实验中西方花蓟马2龄若虫是东亚小花蝽最喜好的虫态.二斑叶螨雌成螨密度固定为60头/19.63cm2,西方花蓟马若虫密度从10增加到60时显著地减少了东亚小花蝽对二斑叶螨的取食.反之,固定西方花蓟马同样密度,增加二斑叶螨密度却没有显著改变小花蝽对西方花蓟马的取食.此结果进一步表明,西方花蓟马是东亚小花蝽更喜好的猎物.     

Two Anthocoris bugs as predators of glasshouse aphids – voracity and prey preference

Voracity and prey preference were evaluated for adult females of the predatory bugs Anthocoris nemorum (L.) and Anthocoris nemoralis (Fabricius) (Heteroptera: Anthocoridae) preying upon five species of aphids (Homoptera: Aphididae), of which Myzus persicae Sulzer, Aulacorthum solani (Kaltenbach), Macrosiphum euphorbiae (Thomas), and Aphis gossypii Glover are common pests in Danish glasshouse crops. Aphis fabae Scopoli was included to determine the influence of food quality on the preference of the predators, since A. fabae has proved to be of poor nutritional value to Anthocoris spp. The experiments were carried out over 24 h in climate cabinets at 20 °C, 60–70% r.h., L18:D6. The aphids were offered in equal amounts in combinations of two species in instars of comparable size. Myzus persicae served as a reference species in all combinations. Both predators accepted all five species of aphids as prey. The numbers of aphids killed per 24 h period varied between 3.7 and 18.0 for A. nemorum and between 3.6 and 12.7 for A. nemoralis. Field collected A. nemorum females, presumably in a state of reproductive diapause, killed in three of four prey combinations significantly more aphids than did ovipositing A. nemoralis females which originated from a commercial rearing. When A. nemorum females had terminated their reproductive diapause and commenced oviposition, voracity increased approximately threefold. When prey preferences were evaluated as a total number of killed prey, no difference in preference was found between the two Anthocoris species. Both predatory bugs preferred M. persicae to the other species, the most accepted alternative prey were A. gossypii, A. fabae, A. solani, and M. euphorbiae, in descending order. However, evaluating preference by number of aphids consumed, A. nemoralis showed a more pronounced preference for M. persicae, especially when combined with A. fabae. In nearly every case, A. nemoralis rejected A. fabae as a food item after killing the aphid. Thus, A. nemoralis exhibited a more specific food choice than A. nemorum. By killing and consuming different aphid species found in glasshouse crops – particularly M. persicae– both A. nemorum and A. nemoralis showed preliminary qualities as agents for the biological control of aphids.     

Olfactory response of a predatory mirid to herbivore induced plant volatiles: multiple herbivory vs. single herbivory

Plants infested with a single herbivore species can attract natural enemies through the emission of herbivore‐induced plant volatiles (HIPVs). However, under natural conditions plants are often attacked by more than one herbivore species. We investigated the olfactory response of a generalist predators Macrolophus caliginosus to pepper infested with two‐spotted spider mites, Tetranychus urticae, or green peach aphid, Myzus persicae, vs. plants infested with both herbivore species in a Y‐tube olfactometer set up. In addition, the constituents of volatile blends from plants exposed to multiple or single herbivory were identified by gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS). The mirid bugs showed a stronger response to volatiles emitted from plants simultaneously infested with spider mites and aphids than to those emitted from plants infested by just one herbivore, irrespective of the species. Combined with results from previous studies under similar conditions we infer that this was a reaction to herbivore induced plant volatiles. The GC‐MS analysis showed that single herbivory induced the release of 22 additional compounds as compared with the volatiles emitted from clean plants. Quantitative analyses revealed that the amount of volatile blends emitted from pepper infested by both herbivores was significantly higher than that from pepper infested by a single herbivore. Moreover, two unique substances were tentatively identified (with a probability of 94% and 91%, respectively) in volatiles emitted by multiple herbivory damaged plants: α‐zingiberene and dodecyl acetate.     

Males of the predatory mirid bug Macrolophus caliginosus exploit plant volatiles induced by conspecifics as a sexual synomone

The olfactory responses of male and female Macrolophus caliginosus Wagner (Heteroptera: Miridae) adults towards volatiles from green bean plants previously exposed to feeding by conspecifics and to direct odours from conspecifics were tested in a Y-tube olfactometer. Female M. caliginosus did not respond to volatiles from plants exposed to mirid feeding or to odours emitted directly by adult mirids. In contrast, male mirid bugs were attracted both to volatiles from plants previously exposed to feeding by conspecific females and to odours emitted by conspecifics only with a marginally significant preference for the former. The gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis showed that mirid feeding induced the release of 11 additional compounds as compared to the volatiles emitted from clean plants. Three of these substances (5-ethyl-2(5H)-furanone, Z-3-hexenyl tiglate, and E,E-α-farnesene) were released only after feeding by females. Furthermore, 21 compounds were identified in volatiles emitted directly by mirids, 12 of which were unique to the mirids (i.e., not present in clean plants or plants previously exposed to mirid feeding). The results suggest that female-specific herbivore-induced plant volatiles play a role as mate-finding cues by the male mirids. The ecological implications of the findings are discussed, and the term ‘sexual synomone’ is introduced.     

Prey preference of the predatory mite Neoseiulus womersleyi Schicha is determined by spider mite webs

Abstract:  We experimentally verified a proximate cause for the preference of prey species by the predatory mite Neoseiulus womersleyi , which prefers the eggs of Amphitetranychus viennensis Zacher to those of Tetranychus urticae Koch. To separate the effects of spider mite eggs and spider mite webs on the prey preference of the predatory mite, we manipulated combinations of eggs and webs of the two prey species. The number of eggs consumed by adult female N. womersleyi was compared with respect to two factors: eggs of the same species under webs of the different species and eggs of different species under webs of the same species. The results revealed that the prey preference of N. womersleyi was determined by the webs, and not by the eggs.     

Macrolophus caliginosus: Functional response to whiteflies and preference and switching capacity between whiteflies and spider mites

Laboratory experiments were performed with adult female Macrolophus caliginosus Wagner (Heteroptera: Miridae) at 22ºC on bean plants to determine the functional response towards whiteflies, as well as the preference and switching capacity between the two prey species: whiteflies and spider mites. Predation of females presented with first instars of Trialeurodes vaporariorum Westwood (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) was of a Type III functional response. The observed maximum predation was approximately 75 first instars at high prey densities within a 24-h period. The preference of M. caliginosus females between eggs of T. vaporariorum and Tetranychus urticaeKoch (Acarina: Tetranychidae) changed with the ratio of offered prey. The preference for T. vaporariorum eggs increased non-linearly with increasing proportions of this prey type. The average maximum predation of whitefly and spider mite eggs were approximately 166 and 111 eggs per day, respectively, at the highest ratio of the two preys. The proportion of M. caliginosus females found on the test plants at the end of the experiment increased with prey density suggesting that this mirid spends more time in areas with high prey density. Macrolophus caliginosus females are voracious predators of eggs and first instars of T. vaporariorum as well as of spider mite eggs and may thus be a valuable addition to existing methods of biological control of T. vaporariorum and T. urticae.     

棉花叶螨对三氯杀螨醇和氧乐果的抗性动态

对棉花叶螨（优势种朱砂叶螨）抗三氯杀螨醇和氧乐果的系统监测表明,棉田化防前期是当年棉花叶螨抗性最低点,大面积化防后抗性水平明显上升。化防停止后至下年春季,抗性呈下降趋势,反映在系统监测动态上,棉花叶螨抗性水平曲折性上升。对三氯杀螨醇和氧乐果的抗性分别由1986年的5．28～6．65倍和9．24～11．26倍上升到1992年的8．55～15．57倍和19．23～28．48倍。     

Prey stage preference and feeding behaviour of Oligota kashmirica benefica (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae), an insect predator of the spider mite Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae)

We studied the prey stage preference and feeding behaviour of the first to third instar larvae and adult females of Oligota kashmirica benefica Naomi (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae), a predator of the spider mite Tetranychus urticae Koch (red form) (Acari: Tetranychidae), on leaves of the kudzu vine (Pueraria lobata (Wild.) Ohwi (Leguminosae)) under laboratory conditions. The number of mites eaten increased with the growth of predator larvae. Third instar larvae preyed on all stages of spider mite, whereas first instar larvae preyed mainly on immobile stages (eggs and quiescent stages). The predator larvae showed two types of foraging behaviour (active searching and ambush behaviour) when targeting the mobile stages (larval, nymph and adult stages of prey). Although no difference was found in the number of prey consumed by adult females and third instar larvae of the predator, the adult females mainly attacked and consumed the immobile stages.     

Response of Neoseiulus fallacis Garmen and Galendromus occidentalis Nesbitt (Acari: Phytoseiidae) to Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae)-Damaged Hop Humulus lupulus (L.) (Urticales: Cannabaceae)

Abstract 1 The response of Neoseiulus fallacis Garmen and Galendromus occidentalis (Acari: Phytoseiidae) to Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae)‐damaged and undamaged hop, Humulus lupulus (L.), plants was tested using a Y‐tube olfactometer. 2 Neoseiulus fallacis but not G. occidentalis was attracted to volatiles from T. urticae‐damaged hop plants when paired with undamaged plants. 3 The response of N. fallacis to these volatiles was stronger for plants severed at the soil surface than for intact plants. 4 There was no difference in the response of N. fallacis to severed or intact hop plants that had no spider mite damage, indicating that artificial wounding by severing alone does not elicit the production of attractive volatiles detectable to N. fallacis. These results are consistent with the existence of cross‐talk between signalling pathways initiated by feeding damage and artificial wounding that result in elevated levels of predator‐attracting volatiles.     

几种病原真菌对二点叶螨、桃蚜的侵染能力研究

从兰州市刘家堡乡自然感病的菜豆蚜尸上,经分离、纯化、筛选得到5种病原真菌,即新接霉属、干尸霉属、虫瘴霉属、虫疠霉属、匍柄霉属。以室内盆栽菜豆上饲养供试桃蚜、二点叶螨为供试生物,测定了几种病原真菌的侵染力。结果表明:匍柄霉属、新接霉属、虫瘴霉属、虫疠霉属对桃蚜有较高的侵染力,接种第7 d后校正死亡率分别为74.0%、70.0%、64.0%、62.0%;对二点叶螨雌成螨的侵染力相对较低,干尸霉属、新接霉属、虫瘴霉属、匍柄霉属接种第7 d后校正死亡率分别为48%、45.9%、42.7%和38.8%。几种病原真菌孢子悬浮液处理二点叶螨螨卵后,可延长螨卵的发育历期,降低螨卵孵化率。     

Exploiting physical defence traits for crop protection: leaf trichomes of Rubus idaeus have deterrent effects on spider mites but not aphids

Plants possess anti‐herbivore defences that could be exploited for crop protection. The potential for deploying physical defence traits for more sustainable pest management (i.e. reduced pesticide application) has not been fully realised. Using a perennial crop (red raspberry, Rubus idaeus), we take the novel approach of quantifying within‐ and between‐genotype variation in a resistance trait, leaf trichome density, to determine precisely the effect of trichomes on host plant preference and suitability for two shoot‐feeding arthropods, the European large raspberry aphid (Amphorophora idaei) and two‐spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae). Additionally, we tested whether this trait influenced searching behaviour of a generalist herbivore predator (lacewing larvae, Chrysoperla carnea). Although there was no consistent genotypic variation in R. idaeus suitability for T. urticae, our hypothesis that T. urticae would avoid high leaf trichome density was supported on certain genotypes. The deterrent effect was mainly on egg deposition rather than leaf selection by adults, with up to sixfold differences in leaf preference depending on the genotypes offered. By contrast, there was significant genotypic variation in R. idaeus suitability for A. idaei (10‐fold variation in aphid abundance), but, contrary to our prediction, aphid preference and infestation levels were unrelated to leaf trichome density. Instead, A. idaei performed best on vigorous genotypes, indicating that plant tolerance traits contributed to R. idaeus suitability for aphids. Leaf trichomes had little effect on the behaviour of the beneficial control agent C. carnea larvae. We conclude that physical anti‐herbivore defences, specifically leaf trichomes, could be deployed to deter particular arthropod pests. However, the mechanistic approach adopted here is necessary to avoid antagonistic effects on other pests or on natural enemies.     

Hierarchical structure in kairomone preference of the predatory mite Amblyseius potentillae: dietary component indispensable for diapause induction affects prey location behaviour

ABSTRACT.

• 1 The phytoseiid predator Amblyseius potentillae (Garman) responded to volatile kairomones emitted from leaves infested by the two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae Koch), the apple rust mite (Aculus schlechtendali (Nalepa)) or the thrips Frankliniella pallida (Uzel), only when the predators had been reared on a carotenoid-free diet. In contrast A.potentillae responded to the European red spider mite (Panonychus ulmi (Koch)) both when the predators had been reared on a carotenoid-containing and a carotenoid-free diet.
• 2 Carotenoid-deficient predators did not respond to odour emitted from a host plant that was infested by larvae of the fruit-tree leaf roller (Adoxophyes orana (F.v.R)), a carotenoid-containing phytophage, that cannot be preyed upon by A.potentillae.
• 3 Carotenoids are indispensable for diapause induction in A.potentillae. Hence, carotenoid-deficient predators can increase their fitness by feeding from a carotenoid source. This may explain the response of carotenoid-deficient predators to the kairomones of the two-spotted spider mite, F.pallida and the apple rust mite (all containing ingestible carotenoids). As the fruit-tree leaf roller cannot serve as prey and thus as a carotenoid source, it makes sense that the predators lacking carotenoids do not respond to the kairomone of this phytophagous insect.
• 4 Two-choice experiments in a Y-tube olfactometer showed that the kairomone preference of A.potentillae has a hierarchical structure: the kairomone of the European red spider mite is the most preferred one, followed by that of apple rust mite, whereas the kairomone of the two-spotted spider mite is the least preferred of these three.

     

The functional response and preference ofMacrolophus caliginosus [Heteroptera: Miridae] for two of its prey:Myzus persicae andTetranychus urticae

Functional response studies of females ofMacrolophus caliginosus Wagner for 2 prey speciesMyzus persicae Sulzer andTetranychus urticae Koch showedHolling's type II response (1959). Estimations of handling time (Th) and attack rate (a) obtained for the aphid (Th=.055 day; a=1.035) and for the mite (Th=.025 day; a=.947) enabled the development of a mathematical model which describes the predation rate on the 2 prey simultaneously. This mirid shows a sharp preference for aphids over mites.

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Résumé L'étude en laboratoire des réponses fonctionnelles des femelles adultes deMacrolophus caliginosus Wagner vis-à-vis des deux proiesMyzus persicae Sulzer etTetranychus urticae Koch montre dans les 2 cas une réponse de type II deHolling (1959). L'estimation du temps de manipulation (Th) et du taux d'attaque instantané (a) pour l'aphide (Th=.055 jour; a=1.035) et pour l'acarien (Th=.025 jour; a=.947) permet d'établir un modèle mathématique décrivant la prédation sur les 2 proies présentes simultanément et de préciser ainsi, au regard des résultats expérimentaux, l'existence d'une préférence du miride pour le puceronM. persicae.

     

不同猎物及密度对巴氏新小绥螨和拉戈钝绥螨同类相残和集团内捕食作用的影响

明确不同猎物及密度下巴氏新小绥螨Neoseiulus barkeri与拉戈钝绥螨Amblyseius largoensis(Muma)的同类相残和集团内捕食作用,为其协同应用控制橡胶树害螨提供依据.在室温27±1℃、湿度75％±5％、光周期12 L∶12D 条件下,以六点始叶螨 Eotetranvchus sexmac...     

西花蓟马、二斑叶螨与黄瓜新小绥螨的相互关系研究

西花蓟马Frankliniella occidentalis（Pergande）和二斑叶螨Tetranychus urticae Koch是温室花卉与蔬菜上的重要害虫（螨）。植物常被两者同时危害。黄瓜新小绥螨Amblyseius cucumeris（Oudemans）是世界上广泛应用的温室蓟马的生物防治物,有时也被用来防治二斑叶螨。本研究中,在人工气候室盆栽条件下利用黄瓜新小绥螨防治西花蓟马和/或二斑叶螨。结果显示,当每豆株上接入10或20头二斑叶螨时,按照1∶4的益害比释放黄瓜新小绥螨可有效控制二斑叶螨。同样密度比的情况下,5和10头黄瓜新小绥螨的释放量可显著控制西花蓟马的接入量。二斑叶螨密度的增加没有显著影响到黄瓜新小绥螨对西花蓟马的控制作用。西花蓟马可捕食黄瓜新小绥螨的卵,日捕食量达1.2粒。本文对利用黄瓜新小绥螨防治温室中西花蓟马进行了讨论。     

A molecular‐genetic understanding of diapause in spider mites: current knowledge and future directions

During unfavourable conditions, many arthropods have the ability to enter into diapause and synchronize their development and reproduction to seasonal patterns. Diapause or winter hibernation in insects and mites is set off by a number of cues, with photoperiod being the most well‐defined and strongest signal. This review focuses on the current knowledge of ‘‐omics’ data and the genetics of diapause in the two‐spotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae, a member of the family Tetranychidae (Arthropoda: Chelicerata: Arachnida: Acari). This species is a serious polyphagous pest and females undergo a reproductive facultative diapause when immature stages are exposed to long nights. Winter hibernation induces different physiological processes characterized by a metabolic suppression, different energy use, increased stress tolerance and the production of cryoprotectants, all initiated by a complex signal transduction pathway. Keto‐carotenoids are known to cause the deeply orange colour typical for diapausing females. Furthermore, research with colour mutants of T. urticae has shown the need for carotenoids with respect to the induction of diapause, even though the molecular‐genetic mechanisms underlying these colour phenotypes are still unknown. In addition, marked latitudinal variation in diapause incidence among populations has been observed in nature, with modes of inheritance ranging from recessive to dominant, as well as monogenic to polygenic. We end by highlighting the emerging opportunities for functional studies that aim to unravel the complex factors underlying diapause in spider mites.     

Settling behaviour and reproductive potential of the green peach aphid Myzus persicae on peach varieties and a related wild Prunus

Discovery in the late seventies of resistance to the green peach aphid Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Homoptera: Aphididae) in Prunus species was based on screening in the field or in greenhouses with natural aphid populations. Here, we assess the impact of these wild and domesticated peach trees on the behaviour, development, reproductive performance and demography of cloned aphids under controlled light and temperature. Four peach varieties, i.e., Rubira, Weeping Flower Peach, Summergrand and Malo konare and the clone P1908 of the related species Prunus davidiana were tested against the highly susceptible cultivar GF305. Besides a variability in the performance of aphids among experiments, our results showed that (i) distinct mechanisms were involved in the sources of resistance studied and (ii) the ranking of the genotypes on their resistance/susceptibility status remained roughly stable throughout the experiments. Observations on the settling behaviour of first instar nymphs demonstrated antixenosis components in the resistance conferred by Rubira and Weeping Flower Peach. Nymphs began to leave the plants after a short exposure (19–21 h) and no aphid was left after 4 days. Nymphal mortality remained rather low (16%) compared to the repellent effect on aphids of both genotypes. Nymphs disappeared from Weeping Flower Peach significantly earlier than from Rubira. Summergrand, Malo konare and P. davidiana clone P1908 were accepted as host plants by aphids. On P. davidiana, decreased fecundity and intrinsic rate of natural increase (rm=0.20, averaged on all experiments) were clear expression of antibiosis. In addition, the mean length of the mature embryos within the gonads of the females on the day of adult moult was negatively correlated with the total number of embryos, providing evidence that aphids on this genotype lacked sufficient ressources to be directed both towards production and growth of embryos. Compared to the most susceptible cultivar GF305 (rm=0.36), Summergrand (rm=0.26) and Malo konare (rm=0.28) had, to a lesser extent, a negative impact on nymph production and rate of increase.     

Sublethal effects of selected insecticides on fecundity and wing dimorphism of green peach aphid (Hom., Aphididae)

Effects of sublethal concentrations (LC₂₅) of six insecticides (imidacloprid, rotenone, fenvalerate, abamectin, pirimicarb and azadirachtin) on fecundity and wing dimorphism of the green peach aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulzer), were studied both under laboratory and greenhouse conditions. In the laboratory, aphid reproduction reduced by 44.29% and 54.01% when rotenone and abamectin treatments were applied at sublethal dose, respectively, and sublethal fenvalerate application resulted in markedly lower average reproduction per female per day compared with control. Reproductive duration of aphid treated with abamectin significantly decreased by 44.19%. But in the greenhouse, there were no evident differences in the aphid fecundity and reproductive duration between treatments and control. Life‐table parameters also demonstrated that the six insecticides at sublethal doses did not stimulate the aphid reproductive potential. In the laboratory, after being exposed to sublethal doses of imidacloprid and fenvalerate, the proportions of alate progeny in aphid progeny were significantly higher than that of the control. In the greenhouse, percentages of alate offspring from the mother aphids treated with imidacloprid, fenvalerate and abamectin increased pronouncedly compared with control. Mortality rates of offspring in the nymphal stages from adults treated with insecticides revealed no significant changes between laboratory and greenhouse. The developmental time in days of the offspring varied in all treatments. Mechanisms of insecticide‐induced resurgence are discussed.     

东亚小花蝽对西花蓟马和/或二斑叶螨危害豆株的定位反应

多食性天敌对其猎物植物系统的选择是其重要生物学特性之一,决定了对不同猎物控制的有效性。东亚小花蝽Orius sauteri是西花蓟马Frankliniella occidentalis(Pergande)及二斑叶螨Tetranychus urticae的重要捕食性天敌。本文在温室笼罩条件下通过释放东亚小花蝽,而后在不同时间调查其在西花蓟马和/或二斑叶螨危害2d后的豆株及健株上的数量,研究了其定位反应。结果表明:东亚小花蝽显著趋向西花蓟马及由西花蓟马与二斑叶螨同时危害的豆株,而较少趋向二斑叶螨单独危害的豆株及健株。在各处理豆株上,东亚小花蝽的日活动规律中,傍晚时分有离开植株的趋势。