Insight into the feeding behavior of predatory mites on Beauveria bassiana, an arthropod pathogen.

Shengyong Wu,Xuenong Xu,Zhongren Lei,Ye Zhang

doi:10.1038/srep24062

Abstract

Interactions between fungal entomopathogens and pest predators are particularly relevant in control of agricultural insect pests. In a laboratory study, we confirmed that the predatory mite, Neoseiulus barkeri, exhibited feeding behavior on the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana conidia through DNA extracts. Using transmission electron microscopy, we determined that the majority of conidia found in the mite gut tended to dissolve within 24 h post ingestion, suggesting that the conidia had probably lost their viability. To our knowledge this is the first report of feeding behavior of phytoseiid mites on entomopathogenic fungus. The findings expand our knowledge of fungus–predator interactions.

Highlights

Interactions between fungal entomopathogens and pest predators are relevant in control of agricultural insect pests
After B. bassiana inoculation, conidia were ingested by N. barkeri through long narrow esophagus for entry into broad midgut under a microscope
Predators may function as dissemination agents in exposing susceptible hosts to conidia leading to infection in the pest species[17]

Summary

Introduction

Interactions between fungal entomopathogens and pest predators are relevant in control of agricultural insect pests. We determined that the majority of conidia found in the mite gut tended to dissolve within 24 h post ingestion, suggesting that the conidia had probably lost their viability To our knowledge this is the first report of feeding behavior of phytoseiid mites on entomopathogenic fungus. Conventional spray of a fungal formulation is often applied to control the pests that can be readily contaminated with deposited conidia, such as foliage dwellers. It is difficult for the fungal spray to contact the pests inside flowers or on the undersides of leaves. Ingested B. bassiana conidia inside the mite gut were morphologically compared with normal to reveal the viability and pathogenicity of conidia as well as transmission efficiency after ingestion

Methods

Results

Conclusion