Geotaxis and leaf-surface preferences mitigate negative effects of a predatory mite on an herbivorous mite.

摘要: Reproductive success and population growth of an herbivorous mite are limited by activities phytoseiid predators. However, occurrences on upper versus lower leaf surfaces sometimes mismatched between these prey The mismatch potentially mitigates predation risk for the species. We assessed factors that affect distributions surfaces, testing whether presence Phytoseius nipponicus alters leaf-surface distribution reproductive false spider Brevipalpus obovatus. host plant was Viburnum erosum var. punctatum (Adoxaceae). Leaves were set in natural (TRUE) reversed (upside down; INVERTED) orientations using experimental devices. Both accessible to mites. detected abaxial preferences P. nipponicus. In contrast, adaxial preferred B. Thus, predatory mites accumulated different sides leaves. Presence predator also indirectly decreased egg production obovatus females actively avoided with elevated numbers; shifted their changed oviposition sites fewer consequence, eggs leaves less frequently preyed upon than those sides. suggest exploitation this particular species from mites, which prefer surfaces.