Cannibalism and intraguild predation in the phytoseiid mites Phytoseiulus persimilis and Typhlodromus bagdasarjani (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot and Typhlodromus bagdasarjani Wainstein and Arutunjan are common predators of economically important spider mites (Tetranychidae). We examined intraguild predation (IGP) of adult females of the specialist P. persimilis and the generalist T. bagdasarjani on a daily basis. This was completed in experimental conditions of 25°C, 75% RH and a photoperiod of 16 h light: 8 h dark. The results showed that both adult female predators were able to discriminate between immature stages of conspecifics and heterospecifics. In T. bagdasarjani, IGP was common and they preferred conspecifics. But in P. persimilis, there was more cannibalism and preference for conspecifics. Immatures of both predators were able to reach adulthood when provided with either con- or heterospecifics. Both phytoseiid species have higher predation rates and oviposition on the larvae of two phytoseiid species compared to eggs and protonymphs. Typhlodromus bagdasarjani females were able to sustain oviposition when feeding on P. persimilis. Females of P. persimilis sustained oviposition when provided with conspecific larvae and protonymphs. Survival time of P. persimilis was increased when feeding on eggs and protonymphs vs. larvae. Different behavioural patterns in intra- and interspecific predation are considered in regard to their feeding types (generalist against specialist).