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The effect of chrysanthemum leaf trichome density and prey spatial distribution on predation of Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae) by Phytoseiulus persimilis (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 March 2007

M.C. Stavrinides
Affiliation:
Horticulture Research International, Wellesbourne, Warwick, CV35 9EF, UK
D.J. Skirvin*
Affiliation:
Horticulture Research International, Wellesbourne, Warwick, CV35 9EF, UK
*
*Fax: +44 1789 470552 E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract

The effect of plant architecture, in terms of leaf hairiness, and prey spatial arrangement, on predation rate of eggs of the spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch, by the predatory mite Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot was examined on cut stems of chrysanthemums. Three levels of leaf hairiness (trichome density) were obtained using two different chrysanthemum cultivars and two ages within one of the cultivars. The number of prey consumed by P. persimilis was inversely related to trichome density. At low prey densities (less than ten eggs per stem), prey consumption did not differ in a biologically meaningful way between treatments. The effect of prey spatial arrangement on the predation rate of P. persimilis was also examined. Predation rates were higher in prey patches on leaves adjacent to the release point of P. persimilis, but significantly greater numbers of prey were consumed in higher density prey patches compared to low density patches. The predators exhibited non-random searching behaviour, spending more time on leaves closest to the release point. The implications of these findings for biological control and predator–prey dynamics are discussed.

Type
Review Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2003

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