Extrafloral nectar from coffee-associated trees as alternative food for a predatory mite

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Ecology
• Entomology
• Plant-Animal Interactions

Background:

• Plant diversity in agriculture enhances natural pest control by supporting natural enemies.
• Extrafloral nectar-producing plants, like Inga spp. in coffee agroforestry, can attract natural enemies, potentially reducing pest densities.
• Phytoseiid mites are crucial natural enemies of coffee pests, but their interaction with Inga extrafloral nectar is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess if Inga edulis Mart. extrafloral nectar is a suitable nutritional resource for the predatory mite Amblyseius herbicolus.
• To determine the impact of Inga extrafloral nectar on the development, survival, and reproduction of A. herbicolus in coffee ecosystems.

Main Methods:

• Laboratory experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of Inga edulis extrafloral nectar on the development, survival, and reproduction of Amblyseius herbicolus.
• Mites were fed either extrafloral nectar or pollen diets during different life stages to assess nutritional suitability.

Main Results:

• Extrafloral nectar from Inga edulis supported the development and survival of Amblyseius herbicolus.
• Reproduction (oviposition) of A. herbicolus was not sustained by extrafloral nectar alone; a pollen diet was necessary for oviposition.
• Mites that developed on nectar required pollen for subsequent egg-laying, while those developed on pollen ceased oviposition when fed nectar.

Conclusions:

• Interplanted Inga trees can contribute to conserving predatory mite populations in coffee agroforestry systems by providing extrafloral nectar.
• While Inga nectar aids mite survival and development, it may not fully support reproduction, suggesting a complementary role in biological control.
• Further research is needed to understand the direct impact of Inga extrafloral nectar on coffee pest control mediated by predatory mites.