STUDY ON THE FEEDING EFFICIENCY AND PREDATORY BEHAVIOR OF SOIL MITES ON ROOT-KNOT NEMATODES MELOIDOGYNE INCOGNITA

Abstract

The present study was attempted to test the plant parasitic nematode Meloidogyne incognita as food source for different genera of soil mites. Tested nematode was presented as second stage juveniles and egg masses to each of eight mite species in pre-equipped 96 well cell culture microplates filled with sterilized 2% water agar. Laboratory experimental results showed that, feeding behavior of tested mites on M. incognita juveniles and egg masses were varied among species. Leiodinychus karmeri (Mesostigmata: Uropodidae) accepted the prey nematode juveniles and feed voraciously on it by the first day of rearing. As the same, devoured the presented egg masses and consumed more than 80% of their weight in 48 hours. Secondly, the oribatid species Xylobates lophotrichus was found to consume prey nematode worms and could shred the dry gelatinous matrix covered the egg masses and feed on the inside eggs causing cavity hole in egg masses, followed by Xylobates capucinus. From that perspective, it can be reported, nematophgay can occur in oribatids and these mites can consume any prey organisms that encountered the space where mites’ wandering. Predation is highly attributed to movement and body size of the predator animal as well as size of the prey. Furthermore, heavily sclerotized cuticle, and limbs, could be important factor in the process of grinding up the nematode. Finally, the oribatid species Nothrus biciliatus, Cilioppia difficilis, Javacarus kuhneltii, Rhysotritia ardua ardua and Epilohmannia pallida aegyptica showed a variable low or rejection for nematode food in the laboratory. It may be assumed; the slow moving of these animals hampered it about seeking for food. The divergence in the structure of mouthparts may account for the differences in predation rate among tested mites as well as the violent movements of worms and subsequent escape.