The feeding and searching behaviour of two species of phytoseiid mites, Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot and Amblyseius degenerans (Berlese), at different prey densities (Acarina: Phytoseiidae)

1981 ◽  
Vol 59 (7) ◽  
pp. 1419-1430 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eldon S. Eveleigh ◽  
D. A. Chant
Keyword(s):  
Prey Density ◽  
Phytoseiulus Persimilis ◽  
Phytoseiid Mites ◽  
Predatory Behaviour ◽  
Searching Behaviour ◽  
Lower Capacity

Detailed observations were made on various components of the predatory behaviour of each instar of two species of predacious phytoseiid mites, Phytoseiulus persimilis and Amblyseius degenerans, in the laboratory. These observations revealed that many aspects of the feeding and searching behaviour of these predators are dependent on the prey density to which they are exposed. Differences between the two species are described and it is concluded that P. persimilis has a greater ability to modify its behaviour in relation to prey conditions than A. degenerans. The results explain why P. persimilis has a lower capacity for prey and lower prey requirements for survival, development, and reproduction than A. degenerans, and also the nature of the functional and numerical responses to prey density of the two species.

Experimental studies on acarine predator–prey interactions: the numerical response of immature and adult predators (Acarina: Phytoseiidae)

1981 ◽  
Vol 59 (7) ◽  
pp. 1407-1418 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eldon S. Eveleigh ◽  
D. A. Chant
Keyword(s):  
Prey Density ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Phytoseiulus Persimilis ◽  
Phytoseiid Mites ◽  
Searching Behaviour ◽  
Predator Prey ◽  
Adult Females ◽  
History Of ◽  
Adult Lives

The numerical responses of two species of phytoseiid mites, Phytoseiulus persimilis and Amblyseius degenerans, were studied in the laboratory. Developmental times and survival rates were examined in the immature instars and oviposition rates in adult females. Prey requirements for development, survival, and oviposition were lower with P. persimilis than A. degenerans due to the nature of their respective feeding and searching behaviour. The fecundity of P. persimilis increased linearly with increasing numbers of prey killed, whereas that of A. degenerans increased curvilinearly. Experiments on the effects of the feeding history of adult females on their fecundity showed that their response depended not only on their most recent nutritional history but also on prey conditions experienced early in their adult lives. The ability of the females to respond to an increase in prey density may be enhanced or reduced depending on the prey conditions experienced. The manner in which the requirements for prey, and the feeding and searching behaviour of the predators, influenced their responses is discussed.

Experimental studies on acarine predator–prey interactions: effects of predator age and feeding history on prey consumption and the functional response (Acarina: Phytoseiidae)

1981 ◽  
Vol 59 (7) ◽  
pp. 1387-1406 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eldon S. Eveleigh ◽  
D. A. Chant
Keyword(s):  
Functional Response ◽  
Prey Density ◽  
Laboratory Experiments ◽  
Prolonged Exposure ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Phytoseiulus Persimilis ◽  
Functional Responses ◽  
Phytoseiid Mites ◽  
Predatory Behaviour ◽  
Predator Prey

Laboratory experiments were performed to determine the functional response to prey density of various instars of two species of predacious phytoseiid mites, Phytoseiulus persimilis and Amblyseius degenerans, and to examine the effects of predator age and nutritional history on their responses. The experiments showed that the nutritional requirements of the predators, the time that they are exposed to prey in relation to their life-span, increasing age, and differences in nutritional history, can have important effects on predatory behaviour and the functional response. Prolonged exposure to one density of prey can cause lags in predation rates when the prey density is changed. The results indicated that functional responses are probably multiform in certain predators and the above factors may provide an explanation of the variety of responses previously reported for species of phytoseiid mites. Phytoseiulus persimilis appeared to be more sensitive to some of these factors than A. degenerans and was shown to be different in many aspects of its predatory behaviour.

The searching behaviour of two species of phytoseiid mites, Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot and Amblyseius degenerans (Berlese), in relation to the density and distribution of prey in an homogeneous area (Acarina: Phytoseiidae)

1982 ◽  
Vol 60 (4) ◽  
pp. 648-658 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eldon S. Eveleigh ◽  
D. A. Chant
Keyword(s):  
Prey Capture ◽  
Phytoseiulus Persimilis ◽  
Absolute Magnitude ◽  
Phytoseiid Mites ◽  
Searching Behaviour ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Consistent Change ◽  
Homogeneous Area ◽  
The Absolute

Both Phytoseiulus persimilis and Amblyseius degenerans exhibited area-restricted searching after prey capture(s) regardless of the density and distribution of prey experienced. A reduction in searching speed and an increase in the absolute magnitude of turns following prey capture(s) contributed to area-restricted searching under all prey conditions with P. persimilis, whereas with A. degenerans, area-restricted searching was due to factors other than a consistent change in these searching parameters under all prey conditions. Phytoseiulus persimilis modified its overall searching behaviour to a greater extent at low than high prey densities and under clumped than uniform prey distributions, whereas A. degenerans showed similar postcapture behaviour under all prey conditions tested. The possible consequences of the behaviour of both predators on their searching success under different types of prey conditions are discussed.

Experimental studies on acarine predator–prey interactions: the response of predators to prey distribution in an homogeneous area (Acarina: Phytoseiidae)

1982 ◽  
Vol 60 (4) ◽  
pp. 639-647 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eldon S. Eveleigh ◽  
D. A. Chant
Keyword(s):  
Functional Response ◽  
Prey Density ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Phytoseiulus Persimilis ◽  
Phytoseiid Mites ◽  
Predator Prey ◽  
Prey Distribution ◽  
Uniform Distributions ◽  
Homogeneous Area ◽  
Prey Depletion

A laboratory study was conducted to determine the effects of prey distribution in an homogeneous area on the searching success and functional response of two species of phytoseiid mites, Phytoseiulus persimilis and Amblyseius degenerans. The results indicated that the spatial distribution of the prey affected the searching success and functional response of P. persimilis but not of A. degenerans. More prey were killed by the former predator when prey were clustered, followed by random and uniform distributions. In contrast to A. degenerans, the degree of prey aggregation at a given prey density also affected the number of prey killed by P. persimilis. With both predators, prey depletion affected the comparative success of the predators at certain prey distributions. It is concluded that P. persimilis is adapted to search for prey which aggregate, whereas A. degenerans is not. The results are discussed in terms of their potential importance in predation and biological control studies.

scholarly journals Experimental evolution of a microbial predator's ability to find prey

2008 ◽  
Vol 276 (1656) ◽  
pp. 459-467 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristina L Hillesland ◽  
Gregory J Velicer ◽  
Richard E Lenski
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Experimental Evolution ◽  
Prey Density ◽  
Myxococcus Xanthus ◽  
Foraging Theory ◽  
High Density ◽  
Fruiting Bodies ◽  
Predatory Behaviour ◽  
Handling Performance

Foraging theory seeks to explain how the distribution and abundance of prey influence the evolution of predatory behaviour, including the allocation of effort to searching for prey and handling them after they are found. While experiments have shown that many predators alter their behaviour phenotypically within individual lifetimes, few have examined the actual evolution of predatory behaviour in light of this theory. Here, we test the effects of prey density on the evolution of a predator's searching and handling behaviours using a bacterial predator, Myxococcus xanthus . Sixteen predator populations evolved for almost a year on agar surfaces containing patches of Escherichia coli prey at low or high density. Improvements in searching rate were significantly greater in those predators that evolved at low prey density. Handling performance also improved in some predator populations, but prey density did not significantly affect the magnitude of these gains. As the predators evolved greater foraging proficiency, their capacity diminished to produce fruiting bodies that enable them to survive prolonged periods of starvation. More generally, these results demonstrate that predators evolve behaviours that reflect at least some of the opportunities and limitations imposed by the distribution and abundance of their prey.

scholarly journals A Modular Cage System Design for Continuous Medium to Large ScaleIn VivoRearing of Predatory Mites (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan Alfredo Morales-Ramos ◽  
Maria Guadalupe Rojas
Keyword(s):  
Phytoseiulus Persimilis ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Predatory Mites ◽  
Interval Length ◽  
Phaseolus Lunatus ◽  
Modular System ◽  
Phytoseiid Mites ◽  
Cage System ◽  
Lima Beans

A new stackable modular system was developed for continuousin vivoproduction of phytoseiid mites. The system consists of cage units that are filled with lima beans,  Phaseolus lunatus, or red beans,P. vulgaris, leaves infested with high levels of the two-spotted spider mites,Tetranychus urticae. The cage units connect with each other through a connection cup, which also serves for monitoring and collection. Predatory mites migrate upwards to new cage units as prey is depleted. The system was evaluated for production ofPhytoseiulus persimilis. During a 6-month experimental period,20,894.9±10,482.5(mean ± standard deviation) predators were produced per week. The production consisted of4.1±4.6% nymphs and95.9±4.6% adults. A mean of554.5±59.8predatory mites were collected per harvested cage and the mean interval length between harvests was6.57±6.76days. The potential for commercial and experimental applications is discussed.

Experimental studies on acarine predator–prey interactions: the effects of predator density on immature survival, adult fecundity and emigration rates, and the numerical response to prey density (Acarina: Phytoseiidae)

1982 ◽  
Vol 60 (4) ◽  
pp. 630-638 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eldon S. Eveleigh ◽  
D. A. Chant
Keyword(s):  
Prey Density ◽  
Laboratory Experiments ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Phytoseiulus Persimilis ◽  
Numerical Response ◽  
Predator Density ◽  
Predator Prey ◽  
Immature Survival

Laboratory experiments revealed that increasing the density of the immature instars of Phytoseiulus persimilis had little effect on their survival rates. However, due to the high prey requirements of the immature instars of Amblyseius degenerans and the tendency for underfed individuals of this species to become cannibalistic, their survival rates decreased with increasing predator density. Increasing predator density reduced the fecundity of P. persimilis and caused its numerical response to prey density to reach plateaux at increasingly lower levels of fecundity as the predator density increased. In contrast, increasing predator density did not affect the fecundity of A. degenerans to such an extent and its numerical response appeared eventually to reach maximum levels when sufficient prey were available. The emigration rates of P. persimilis tended to increase with increasing predator density whereas those of A. degenerans increased or decreased depending on the density of the predators and the prey.

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