Function of the web box as an anti-predator barrier in the spider mite,<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Schizotetranychus recki</Emphasis> |
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Authors: | Mituru?Horita Anthony?R?Chittenden Yukie?Sato Email author" target="_blank">Yutaka?SaitoEmail author |
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Institution: | (1) Laboratory of Animal Ecology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Hokkaido University, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-8589, Japan;(2) Present address: Meiji Dairies Corporation, 1-2-10 Shinsuna, Koto-ku, Tokyo 136-8908, Japan |
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Abstract: | Spider mites inhabiting Sasa bamboo show considerable variation in traits believed to be the result of coevolution between predator and prey. In Schizotetranychus recki Ehara inhabiting the hairy leaves of a dwarf bamboo, Sasa senanensis, all quiescent stages, including eggs, appear within web boxes in the leaf hairs of their host plant, and this habit is thought to be a trait involved in predator avoidance. To test this hypothesis, the survival rates of S. recki eggs inside a web box and those freed of a web box were assessed in relation to six predator species that co-occur with the spider mite in the field. The results clearly show that the webbing behavior (web box) of S. recki has a function in avoiding five predator species. However, one predator species, Agistemus summersi Ehara, preyed more on eggs protected by a web box. This suggests that this predator species has a special trait to overcome the nest barriers. |
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Keywords: | Acari Tetranychidae Phytoseiidae Stigmaeidae Coevolution Predator– prey interaction Sasa bamboo |
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