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Article

Intraguild Prey Served as Alternative Prey for Intraguild Predators in a Reciprocal Predator Guild between Neoseiulus barkeri and Scolothrips takahashii

by
Mingxiu Liu
1,†,
Mian Wang
1,†,
Yuzhen Nima
2,†,
Xiaotian Feng
1,
Guangyun Li
1,
Yi Yang
1,
Yaying Li
1,* and
Huai Liu
1,*
1
Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China
2
Institute of Vegetable, Tibet Academy of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Sciences, Lhasa 850032, China
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
†
These authors contributed equally to this work.
Insects 2023, 14(6), 561; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14060561
Submission received: 5 May 2023 / Revised: 5 June 2023 / Accepted: 11 June 2023 / Published: 16 June 2023
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Management of Arthropod Pests in Agroecosystems)
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Abstract

:

Simple Summary

Intraguild predation between the introduced enemy Neoseiulus barkeri (Hughes) and the native enemy Scolothrips takahashii (Priesner) frequently occurs when target prey is scarce. It is hypothesized that intraguild predation is an adaptative strategy for predators, ensuring the persistence of the intraguild predators during periods of prey scarcity. Therefore, we undertook a study to evaluate the effects of the intraguild prey on the survival, development and reproduction of intraguild predators in a reciprocal predator guild with N. barkeri and S. takahashii. Our results support the hypothesis, showing that intraguild prey enhanced the survival, development and oviposition of intraguild predators, further confirming the effectiveness of intraguild predation as an adaptative strategy.

Abstract

The predatory mites Neoseiulus barkeri (Hughes) and the predatory thrips Scolothrips takahashii (Priesner) are known as potential biocontrol agents for the two-spotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae (Koch). These two predator species occur simultaneously on crops in agricultural ecosystems and are proved to be involved in life-stage specific intraguild predation. The intraguild prey may play a role in securing the persistence of the intraguild predators during food shortage periods. To understand the potential of intraguild prey as food source for intraguild predators in the N. barkeri and S. takahashii guild at low T. urticae densities, the survival, development and reproduction of both predators was determined when fed on heterospecific predators. The choice tests were conducted to determine the preference of the intraguild predator between the intraguild prey and the shared prey. Results showed that 53.3% N. barkeri and 60% S. takahashii juveniles successfully developed when fed on heterospecific predators. Female intraguild predators of both species fed on intraguild prey survived and laid eggs throughout the experiment. In the choice test, both intraguild predator species preferred their extraguild prey T. urticae. This study suggested that intraguild prey served as an alternative prey for intraguild predators prolonged survival and ensured the reproduction of intraguild predators during food shortage, ultimately decreasing the need for the continual release of the predators.

Graphical Abstract

1. Introduction

Pests in natural systems are always faced with multiple predators [1,2]. These predators, competing as they do for shared prey, engage in complex interactions such as intraguild predation, which is when predators kill or eat their potential competitors, and is ubiquitous among arthropods [3,4,5,6]. Such interactions between native and introduced biological agents sharing the same prey have been frequently documented [7,8,9]. Releasing natural enemies at low pest densities can lead to food deprivation for predators, and potentially intense intraguild predation of native and introduced natural enemies, which may ultimately lead to exclusion or coexistence of the involved species [10,11,12,13]. For example, releases of Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) to control aphids in the field have negatively affected the population of many indigenous natural enemies through intraguild predation [7]. Conversely, intraguild predation can be an adaptative strategy during periods of prey scarcity [14], as intraguild prey can provide nutritional and energetic benefits that increase the survival, development and reproduction of intraguild predators [15]. Moreover, removing intraguild prey from the diet of intraguild predators may not have any negative effects on the fitness of the predators. Thus, feeding on heterospecific predators (intraguild prey) can ensure the persistence of predator populations at low levels of the target prey, decreasing the need for the continual release of the predators [16].
Numerous studies have reported that intraguild prey could be utilized as a food source for intraguild predators, even if the quality of intraguild prey was inferior to that of extraguild prey. For example, Phytoseiulus persimilis (Athias-Henriot), Neoseiulus cucumeris (Oudemans), Amblyseius andersoni (Chant) and Neoseiulus fallacis (Garman) have already been considered low nutrient food sources when used as intraguild prey. Although they allowed their intraguild predators to develop into adulthood, they did not enable them to reproduce [17,18]. However, during periods of natural prey scarcity, an intraguild prey such as Amblyseius swirskii (Athias-Henriot) is an equally nutritious food compared with extraguild prey, as has been observed in the case of Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) [19]. Obtaining nutritional benefits from intraguild prey can increase the survival of predators during spatiotemporal scarcity of extraguild prey. Evaluating the influences of intraguild prey on the fitness of an intraguild predator in a guild can improve our understanding of the interspecific interactions and improve the forecast of persistence potential of predator populations during prey scarcity.
Predatory thrips and mites, including Scolothrips takahashii (Priesner) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) and Neoseiulus barkeri (Hughes) (Mesostigmata: Phytoseiidae), are natural enemies used for controlling populations of two-spotted spider mites, Tetranychus urticae (Koch) (Acari: Tetranychidae) [20,21,22]. Scolothrips takahashii suppressed T. urticae populations at low levels in various crops, such as citrus, pear, apple and bean in China [23,24]. The largest domestically produced indigenous predatory mite, N. barkeri, has been progressively released in orchards and greenhouses to control T. urticae populations before the spider mite damage becomes visible [25,26]. Both native enemies S. takahashii and released enemies N. barkeri frequently co-occur in the same ecosystem at low target prey densities, potentially leading to intraguild predation among the different life stages of the species in question. Previous studies have shown that intraguild interaction between S. takahashii and N. barkeri was bidirectional, with each species fed on the vulnerable stage of the other [27]. However, it remains unknown whether this behavior of theirs can lead to a higher fitness of the intraguild predators, and consequently increase their persistence during periods of target prey scarcity.
In this study, we investigated the effects of N. barkeri eggs and first instar larvae of S. takahashii, which are the vulnerable stages of these intraguild prey, on the survival, juvenile development and female reproduction of their intraguild predator S. takahashii and N. barkeri, respectively. Furthermore, the preference of the intraguild predators for intraguild prey or T. urticae was also evaluated.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Rearing of Mites and Thrips

The two-spotted spider mite (T. urticae) was reared on cowpea bean plants Vigna unguiculata (L.). Neoseiulus barkeri were reared on a black polyethylene plastic sheet placed upside down on a water-soaked sponge inside a plastic container (15 × 20 × 10 cm), which was sealed by a lid with a fine mesh (150 mm mesh opening) as window in the middle to allow for ventilation. Sufficient numbers of mixed stages of T. urticae were brushed into the predatory mite cultures as food every other day. Colonies of S. takahashii were maintained on bean plants V. unguiculata infested by T. urticae. Rearing units were maintained at 28 ± 1 °C, 80 ± 5% R.H. and 16L: 8D photoperiod.

2.2. Experimental Design and Procedures

The experiments were carried out in closed arena, which were modified from a previous study [28]. The experimental set-up consisted of two clear acrylic plates (4 × 3 × 0.3 cm) that overlapped each other and had a round hole (Ø = 2.5 cm) in the center. A fresh bean leaf was placed between these two acrylic plates, which were then covered with a transparent acrylic sheet (3 × 3 × 0.1 cm) on the upper side. Those plates were held together with 19 mm foldback clips at two opposite sides. The experimental cells were placed in a plastic tray (30 × 25 × 3 cm) with a double-distilled water-soaked sponge (25 × 20 × 1 cm) to keep the leaves fresh. Experimental arenas were maintained at 28 ± 1 °C, 80 ± 5% R.H. and 16L: 8D photoperiod.
According to our previous study, eggs of N. barkeri and first instar larvae of S. takahashii were the most vulnerable respective stages and were the preferred intraguild prey in guilds [27]. Neoseiulus barkeri preferred the protonymphs of T. urticae to other developmental stages when faced with interspecific predation risk from predatory thrips. Additionally, S. takahashii preyed on all stages of T. urticae, with a higher predation rate on protonymphs of T. urticae when exposed to interspecific predation risk from N. barkeri (unpublished data). Thus, the protonymphs of T. urticae served as extraguild prey. For the development experiment, we used protonymphs of N. barkeri and first instar larvae of S. takahashii as intraguild predators. Adult females of both predators were used as intraguild predators for the oviposition experiment and choice test.

2.2.1. Survival and Development of Immature Intraguild Predators

Newly laid eggs of N. barkeri were transferred to each experimental cell (as described). As soon as the obligatory feeding stage (protonymphs stage) was reached, they were fed by randomly assigning them one of the three following treatments: sufficient first instar larvae of S. takahashii as intraguild prey; T. urticae protonymphs as extraguild prey; or no food. Similarly, newly emerged first instar larvae of S. takahashii in each cell were offered with sufficient N. barkeri eggs as intraguild prey, T. urticae protonymphs as extraguild prey, or no food. These experimental cells were monitored twice a day to record the survival and development of the intraguild predators in each cell. To comprehensively evaluate the survival and development time of the intraguild predator’s immature stage, we also recorded the duration of the unfed stage (including N. barkeri eggs and larvae, as well as S. takahashii prepupa and pupa) in each treatment. The observation was terminated when the intraguild predators N. barkeri and S. takahashii reached adulthood or died. Every day the experimental cells were renewed and the prey replenished. For both intraguild predator species, 15 replicates were set up for each treatment.

2.2.2. Survival and Oviposition of Adult Female Intraguild Predators

One female (9–11 days old since egg hatching) of each predator species was transferred into a detached bean leaf disc with ample prey of mixed stages of T. urticae, and one conspecific male was introduced into each leaf disc for mating. After 24 h (until mating was observed), each female was transferred into a fresh leaf disc with no food to standardize their level of hunger. Only females that deposited at least one egg during the starvation period were used as intraguild predators. Subsequently, starved intraguild predators were introduced to experimental cells, and the intraguild prey or natural prey were separately added into each arena. The survival and oviposition of each female was recorded daily for up to 10 days. The experimental cell was replaced daily with sufficient prey as before for each tested individual. Oviposition of females was also measured when they were offered no prey. Each treatment was replicated 15 times for each prey.

2.2.3. Prey Preference of Intraguild Predators

Gravid females of N. barkeri randomly selected from the rearing units described above were subjected to starvation for 24 h. Subsequently, gravid females of N. barkeri were singly introduced into an experimental cell supplied with intraguild prey and extraguild prey at a ratio of 1:1 (ten first instar larvae of S. takahashii and ten active stage protonymphs of T. urticae). The same procedure was employed for S. takahashii females, except that prey provision was doubled (20 eggs of N. barkeri and 20 active stage protonymphs of T. urticae). The experimental cell was observed every 10 min for 6 h or until the intraguild prey or extraguild prey was attacked by the intraguild predator. Prey preference was determined based on the observation of the first three attacks [29]. After each attack, the attacked prey was replaced by another individual to keep the prey density and relative abundance constant. Attack frequency was calculated as the proportion of a specific prey (intraguild prey or extraguild prey) being attacked by the intraguild predator. Fourteen replicates were carried out for each intraguild predator.

2.3. Data Analysis

All analyses were performed using SPSS 21.0. To compare the cumulative survival rates of intraguild predators under different types of diet (no food, intraguild prey and extraguild prey), Kaplan–Meier survival analysis was performed using Log-rank tests. T-test for independent samples was used to compare the two types of prey (intraguild prey and extraguild prey) on the developmental parameters of the intraguild predators: including N. barkeri eggs, total duration of development from egg to adult, and—for S. takahashii—first instar larvae, second instar larvae and total duration of development from first instar larvae to adult. A Mann–Whitney U-test was performed to compare the development time of N. barkeri larvae, protonymphs and deutonymphs, and S. takahashii prepupa and pupa when provided with two types of prey, because the data could not be normalized. The oviposition rates of adult females of intraguild predators provided with either extraguild prey or intraguild prey were also compared using the T-test for independent samples. Data from the first day were omitted from the calculations of oviposition capacity to reduce the influence of previous feeding history. Results of the choice experiment were analyzed through the chi-square test.

3. Results

3.1. Survival and Development of Immature Intraguild Predators

The survival rate of both intraguild predators when fed on prey was significantly higher than when they were deprived of food (N. barkeri as intraguild predator overall test, as shown on Figure 1A: χ2 = 14.979, df = 2, p = 0.001; T. urticae protonymph as extraguild prey vs. no food: χ2 = 11.911, p = 0.001; S. takahashii first instar larva as intraguild prey vs. no food: χ2 = 4.851, p = 0.028; S. takahashii as intraguild predator overall test, as shown on Figure 1B: χ2 = 49.999, df = 2, p < 0.001; T. urticae protonymph as extraguild prey vs. no food: χ2 = 29.578, p < 0.001; N. barkeri egg as intraguild prey vs. no food: χ2 = 26.729, p < 0.001). Moreover, the intraguild predators that were provided with intraguild prey had a lower survival rate than the intraguild predators fed on extraguild prey (N. barkeri as an intraguild predator, Figure 1A: T. urticae protonymph as extraguild prey vs. S. takahashii first instar larva as intraguild prey: χ2 = 6.259, p = 0.012; S. takahashii as an intraguild predator, Figure 1B: T. urticae protonymph as extraguild prey vs. N. barkeri egg as intraguild prey: χ2 = 7.266, p = 0.007).
There were significant differences in the durations of protonymph (U = 7.500, p < 0.001), deutonymph (U = 9.500, p < 0.001) and the overall development time (t = −5.085, p < 0.001) among N. barkeri resulting from the different food treatments (Table 1). Similarly, significant differences were observed in the development time of S. takahashii, including first instar larva (t = −7.130, p < 0.001), second instar larva (t = −2.381, p = 0.041) and the overall development time (t = −3.708, p = 0.004, Table 2).

3.2. Survival and Oviposition of Adult Female Intraguild Predators

When prey was unavailable, no egg was laid by either intraguild predators. All S. takahashii females died within 5 days, while N. barkeri females died within 12.5 days (Figure 2). By contrast, all female intraguild predators provided with prey survived throughout the experiment and laid eggs (Figure 3). In addition, the time for the predators to restore their egg laying ability differed significantly according to their prey types. All N. barkeri and S. takahashii females started to lay eggs on the second or third day, respectively, after being provided with natural prey T. urticae protonymph; but resumed egg production on the 6th and 4th day, respectively, when provided with intraguild prey.
Oviposition rates of both intraguild predator species were higher when they were provided with extraguild prey (Figure 3). During the experiment, Neoseiulus barkeri laid more eggs when given T. urticae protonymph than when given first instar larvae of thrips (t = 5.324, p < 0.001). Similarly, S. takahashii had a higher oviposition rate when fed on extraguild prey than on intraguild prey (t = 5.077, p < 0.001).

3.3. Prey Preference of Intraguild Predators

Neoseiulus barkeri exhibited a preference for extraguild prey over intraguild prey (the second attack frequency: χ2 = 4.571, p = 0.033; the third attack frequency: χ2 = 6.400, p = 0.011; and the total attack frequency: χ2 = 8.526 p = 0.004, Figure 4A). However, there was no significant difference in the first attack frequency of N. barkeri on T. urticae protonymph compared to thrips first instar larvae (χ2 = 0.286 p = 0.593). The attack frequency of S. takahashii was significantly higher on extraguild prey T. urticae than on intraguild prey N. barkeri egg (the first attack frequency: χ2 = 11.267, p = 0.001; the second attack frequency: χ2 = 8.067, p = 0.005; the third attack frequency: χ2 = 5.400, p = 0.020; and the total attack frequency: χ2 = 24.200, p < 0.001, Figure 4B).

4. Discussion

This study showed that most individuals from both the N. barkeri and S. takahashii species successfully developed and reproduced when fed on their extraguild and intraguild prey. However, both N. barkeri and S. takahashii showed higher survival rates, faster development time, and higher oviposition rates when fed on extraguild prey than on intraguild prey. The choice test revealed that both predator species preferred the spider mites T. urticae. These results indicate that intraguild prey could serve as an alternative food source for N. barkeri and S. takahashii when target prey becomes scarce, thereby prolonging survival time and ensuring reproduction of the predators. These findings support the theory that intraguild predation is an adaptative strategy for the predators under conditions of prey scarcity [3].
The nutritional benefits of intraguild prey for the predators N. barkeri and S. takahashii allow juveniles to reach the adult stage and females to reproduce. In this study, the predator N. barkeri fed on first instar larvae of S. takahashii displayed a similar development time to those fed on T. urticae nymphs [30] and Eotetranychus kankitus (Ehara) of mixed stages [31]. In addition, N. barkeri was capable of maintaining oviposition (1.26 eggs per female per day) when fed on intraguild prey first instar larvae of S. takahashii; and their oviposition rate was similar to that when they were fed on other prey such as Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Schrank) [32], Aleuroglyphus ovatus (Troupeau) [33] and Luffa cylindrical (Roem) pollen [34]. Thus, intraguild prey can prolong the survival of N. barkeri when their food sources such as tetranychid and Acaridae prey or pollen are scarce. The present results confirm the finding of Momen [35], who reported that N. barkeri juveniles completed their development, and female produced 1.35 eggs per female per day when fed on the intraguild prey Typhlodromus negevi (Swirski and Amitai) eggs. Other phytoseiid species—including Typhlodromus athiasae (Porath and Swirski) [36] and N. cucumeris [18]—were also observed to complete their ontogenetic development and to sustain oviposition on intraguild prey. These intraguild prey were considered as alternative prey contributing to the predator’s persistence under prey scarcity. However, intraguild prey may be considered only as supplemental food in some cases. For example, a study by Schausberger and Croft [18] reported that immature phytoseiid species, Neoseiulus longispinosus (Evans) and Galendromus occidentalis (Nesbitt), failed to develop into adults on intraguild prey.
Previous studies have reported that the development time of S. takahashii was shorter when they were fed on T. urticae (5.50 days) [37] and Panonychus citri (McGregor) (5.57 days) [38] compared to when provided with N. barkeri eggs (8.167 days). However, S. takahashii fed on N. barkeri eggs laid 3.56 eggs per female per day, which was slightly less than that when fed on P. citri (5.06 eggs per female per day, 28 °C) [38] and T. urticae (5.06 eggs per female per day, 25 °C) [37]. Currently, no information is available on the interaction of S. takahashii with other phytoseiid mites or predatory insects. However, Scolothrips longicornis (Priesner), which belongs to the same genus as S. takahashii, showed a daily oviposition rate of 0.08 and 0.13 when fed on eggs of phytoseiid mites Typhlodromus bagdasarjani (Wainstein & Arutunjan) and Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor), respectively [39], whereas S. takahashii laid 3.56 eggs per female per day when fed on N. barkeri eggs. As a result, S. takahashii demonstrated its capacity to sustain a population over a long term by consuming N. barkeri eggs when the target prey was scarce.
Overall, both intraguild predator species preferred extraguild prey, which may be due to its high quality. Both predators showed higher survival rates, shorter development times and higher oviposition rates on extraguild prey than on intraguild prey. However, N. barkeri did not show a preference between extraguild prey and intraguild prey in their first attack. This may be attributed to the fact that S. takahashii larva is probably a suitable prey for the N. barkeri. However, S. takahashii larvae exhibited defensive behavior such as jerking the end of the abdomen rapidly or producing excrement during the experiment [40], which could lead N. barkeri to avoid them and then alter their preferences for thrips larvae in the second attack. This defensive behavior has also been observed in other insects such as F. occidentalis and Thrips tabaci (Lindeman) [41,42]. This result indicates that, although the first instar larvae of S. takahashii may have high nutritional value for N. barkeri, the difficulty in catching thrips makes them a less suitable food source.
The present study revealed that intraguild prey could ensure the survival, development, and oviposition of predators N. barkeri and S. takahashii, increasing their persistence period with prey scarcity, although extraguild prey was of higher quality for both predators. However, evaluating persistence and coexistence of predators in the presence of all the species and in arenas differing in spatial structure in the field warrants using experiments based on population/community dynamics, since these would allow more realistic predation rates to be compared under scenarios of intraguild predation. In addition, a polytypic diet would allow for a balanced nutritional intake for the predators [43]. Thus, intraguild prey may not only enable intraguild predators to survive when other prey is scarce but also to improve the fitness of predators when there is overabundance of prey. Further experiments are required to investigate the fitness of intraguild predators when provided with a polytypic diet consisting of a mix of intraguild prey and extraguild prey to clarify the benefits of intraguild prey for intraguild predators in a system with one prey and multiple predators.

Author Contributions

Conceptualization, M.L., M.W., Y.N., Y.L. and H.L.; funding acquisition, Y.L. and H.L.; methodology, M.L., M.W., Y.N., X.F. and Y.Y.; data curation, X.F. and Y.Y.; formal analysis, X.F. and G.L.; project administration, Y.L. and H.L.; writing—original draft, M.L., M.W., Y.N. and G.L.; writing—review and editing, M.L., M.W., Y.N., G.L., Y.L. and H.L. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Funding

This research was funded by the National Key R&D Program of China (2022YFC2601000), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (32072483), the Technology Innovation and Application Development Foundation of Chongqing, China (cstc2021jscx-lyjsAX0005), the Scientific Projects of Science and Technology Department of Tibet, China (ZX202101ZY0006N), and Chongqing Municipal Training Program of Innovation and Entrepreneurship for Undergraduates (S202110635027).

Data Availability Statement

The data presented in this study are available on request from the corresponding author.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest. The funding agency had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript; or in the decision to publish the results.

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Insects 14 00561 g001 550
Figure 1. Cumulative survival rates of immature Neoseiulus barkeri (A) and Scolothrips takahashii (B) fed with intraguild prey (S. takahashii first instar larva served as intraguild prey for N. barkeri, N. barkeri egg served as intraguild prey for S. takahashii), extraguild prey (Tetranycus urticae protonymph), or no food. T. u: T. urticae; S. t: S. takahashii; N. b: N. barkeri; N1: protonymph; L1: first instar larva; E: egg. The cumulative survival rates of intraguild predators under different types of diet were compared with Kaplan–Meier survival analysis using Log-rank tests (p < 0.05).
Figure 1. Cumulative survival rates of immature Neoseiulus barkeri (A) and Scolothrips takahashii (B) fed with intraguild prey (S. takahashii first instar larva served as intraguild prey for N. barkeri, N. barkeri egg served as intraguild prey for S. takahashii), extraguild prey (Tetranycus urticae protonymph), or no food. T. u: T. urticae; S. t: S. takahashii; N. b: N. barkeri; N1: protonymph; L1: first instar larva; E: egg. The cumulative survival rates of intraguild predators under different types of diet were compared with Kaplan–Meier survival analysis using Log-rank tests (p < 0.05).
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Insects 14 00561 g002 550
Figure 2. Cumulative survival rates of female Neoseiulus barkeri and Scolothrips takahashii subject to no food. N. b: N. barkeri; S. t: S. takahashii; F: female.
Figure 2. Cumulative survival rates of female Neoseiulus barkeri and Scolothrips takahashii subject to no food. N. b: N. barkeri; S. t: S. takahashii; F: female.
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Insects 14 00561 g003 550
Figure 3. The oviposition (mean ± SE) of females of Neoseiulus barkeri (A) and Scolothrips takahashii (B) when offered intraguild prey (S. takahashii first instar larva served as intraguild prey for N. barkeri female, N. barkeri egg served as intraguild prey for S. takahashii female) and extraguild prey (Tetranychus urticae protonymph). T. u: T. urticae; S. t: S. takahashii; N. b: N. barkeri; N1: protonymph; L1: first instar larva; E: egg. T-test for independent samples was used to measure the oviposition per female per day in different diets (p < 0.05). The arrow points to the time at which all predators resumed the ability to lay eggs.
Figure 3. The oviposition (mean ± SE) of females of Neoseiulus barkeri (A) and Scolothrips takahashii (B) when offered intraguild prey (S. takahashii first instar larva served as intraguild prey for N. barkeri female, N. barkeri egg served as intraguild prey for S. takahashii female) and extraguild prey (Tetranychus urticae protonymph). T. u: T. urticae; S. t: S. takahashii; N. b: N. barkeri; N1: protonymph; L1: first instar larva; E: egg. T-test for independent samples was used to measure the oviposition per female per day in different diets (p < 0.05). The arrow points to the time at which all predators resumed the ability to lay eggs.
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Insects 14 00561 g004 550
Figure 4. Preference experiments. Attack frequencies of Neoseiulus barkeri (A) and Scolothrips takahashii (B) on intraguild prey (S. takahashii first instar larva served as intraguild prey for N. barkeri female, N. barkeri egg served as intraguild prey for S. takahashii female) and extraguild prey (Tetranychus urticae protonymph). Attack 1, 2, 3 and total were calculated as the proportion of intraguild predator first attack, second attack, third attack and the sum of these three attacks on a specific prey. Theoretical response represents no prey preference by the intraguild predator for each specific prey (theoretical index of 50%). T. u: T. urticae; S. t: S. takahashii; N. b: N. barkeri; N1: protonymph; L1: first instar larva; E: egg. Red areas show predation on the T. urticae, blue areas show predation on intraguild prey. Asterisks indicate a significant prey preference (χ2, p < 0.05).
Figure 4. Preference experiments. Attack frequencies of Neoseiulus barkeri (A) and Scolothrips takahashii (B) on intraguild prey (S. takahashii first instar larva served as intraguild prey for N. barkeri female, N. barkeri egg served as intraguild prey for S. takahashii female) and extraguild prey (Tetranychus urticae protonymph). Attack 1, 2, 3 and total were calculated as the proportion of intraguild predator first attack, second attack, third attack and the sum of these three attacks on a specific prey. Theoretical response represents no prey preference by the intraguild predator for each specific prey (theoretical index of 50%). T. u: T. urticae; S. t: S. takahashii; N. b: N. barkeri; N1: protonymph; L1: first instar larva; E: egg. Red areas show predation on the T. urticae, blue areas show predation on intraguild prey. Asterisks indicate a significant prey preference (χ2, p < 0.05).
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Table
Table 1. Development time in days (means ± SE) of Neoseiulus barkeri fed on intraguild prey Scolothrips takahashii first instar larva and extraguild prey Tetranychus urticae protonymph.
Table 1. Development time in days (means ± SE) of Neoseiulus barkeri fed on intraguild prey Scolothrips takahashii first instar larva and extraguild prey Tetranychus urticae protonymph.
PredatorPreyDevelopment Time (Days)
EggLarvaProtonymphDeutonymphTotal
N. bT. u N11.600 ± 0.1000.700 ± 0.0651.400 ± 0.0721.200 ± 0.1184.900 ± 0.240
S. t L11.750 ± 0.0950.625 ± 0.0822.375 ± 0.227 *2.375 ± 0.324 *7.125 ± 0.3988 *
t−0.974---−5.085
U-51.0007.5009.500-
Sig.0.3410.482<0.001<0.001<0.001
Note: N. b: Neoseiulus barkeri; T. u: Tetranychus urticae; S. t: Scolothrips takahashii; N1: protonymph; L1: first instar larva. Asterisks indicate differences in development time of N. barkeri fed on different types of prey (T-tests for independent samples was used to analyze development times of the N. barkeri egg and the total duration of development from egg to adult, and a Mann–Whitney U-test was performed for N. barkeri larva, protonymph and deutonymph development time, p < 0.05).
Table
Table 2. Development time in days (means ± SE) of Scolothrips takahashii fed on intraguild prey Neoseiulus barkeri egg and extraguild prey Tetranychus urticae protonymph.
Table 2. Development time in days (means ± SE) of Scolothrips takahashii fed on intraguild prey Neoseiulus barkeri egg and extraguild prey Tetranychus urticae protonymph.
PredatorPreyDevelopment Time (Days)
First instar larvaSecond instar larvaPrepupaPupaTotal
S. tT. u N11.767 ± 0.0671.867 ± 0.1330.867 ± 0.0591.633 ± 0.0596.133 ± 0. 192
N. b E2.778 ± 0.147 *3.111 ± 0.505 *0.667 ± 0.0831.611 ± 0.0738.167 ± 0.514 *
t−7.130−2.381--−3.708
U--40.50064.500-
Sig.<0.0010.0410.0600.8120.004
Note: S. t: Scolothrips takahashii; T. u: Tetranychus urticae; N. b: Neoseiulus barkeri; N1: protonymph; E: egg. Asterisks indicate differences in development time of S. takahashii fed on different types of prey (T-tests for independent samples were used to compared development times of S. takahashii first instar larva, second instar larva and the total duration of development from first instar larvae to adult, and a Mann–Whitney U-test was performed for S. takahashii prepupa and pupa development time, p < 0.05).
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Liu, M.; Wang, M.; Nima, Y.; Feng, X.; Li, G.; Yang, Y.; Li, Y.; Liu, H. Intraguild Prey Served as Alternative Prey for Intraguild Predators in a Reciprocal Predator Guild between Neoseiulus barkeri and Scolothrips takahashii. Insects 2023, 14, 561. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14060561

AMA Style

Liu M, Wang M, Nima Y, Feng X, Li G, Yang Y, Li Y, Liu H. Intraguild Prey Served as Alternative Prey for Intraguild Predators in a Reciprocal Predator Guild between Neoseiulus barkeri and Scolothrips takahashii. Insects. 2023; 14(6):561. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14060561

Chicago/Turabian Style

Liu, Mingxiu, Mian Wang, Yuzhen Nima, Xiaotian Feng, Guangyun Li, Yi Yang, Yaying Li, and Huai Liu. 2023. "Intraguild Prey Served as Alternative Prey for Intraguild Predators in a Reciprocal Predator Guild between Neoseiulus barkeri and Scolothrips takahashii" Insects 14, no. 6: 561. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14060561

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