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Intraguild predation between phytoseiid mite species might not be so common
C Guzmán1, R M Sahún1, M Montserrat2
1Instituto de Hortofruticultura Subtropical y Mediterránea "La Mayora", Universidad de Málaga- Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IHSM-UMA-CSIC), Estación Experimental La Mayora, 29750, Algarrobo-Costa, Málaga, Spain.
Experimental & Applied Acarology
|December 31, 2015
Summary
Intraguild predation (IGP) among phytoseiid mites is reduced when a shared resource, like pollen, is available. These predatory mites, Euseius stipulatus and E. scutalis, primarily compete for resources rather than prey on each other.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Entomology
- Predator-prey dynamics
Background:
- Intraguild predation (IGP) is common in phytoseiid mites.
- Shared resources often reduce or eliminate IGP between these mite species.
- The impact of IGP on phytoseiid communities may be overestimated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate IGP between Euseius stipulatus and E. scutalis in avocado agro-ecosystems.
- To assess the influence of abiotic factors on IGP.
- To evaluate the prevalence of IGP in the Phytoseiidae family through a literature review.
Main Methods:
- Field observations and experimental setups in avocado agro-ecosystems.
- Literature search for studies on IGP in Phytoseiidae.
- Analysis of experimental designs and results in published literature.
Main Results:
- Predation on intraguild prey was negligible when a shared resource (pollen) was present.
- Euseius stipulatus and E. scutalis preferentially foraged on pollen.
- Literature review indicated limited experimental support for widespread IGP in Phytoseiidae.
Conclusions:
- Exploitative resource competition, not IGP, likely drives the population dynamics of these mite species.
- Caution is advised when assuming IGP is widespread in Phytoseiidae due to methodological limitations in many studies.
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