Cattail Pollen Research Articles

First report on life history and population parameters of Typhlodromus (Typhlodromus) setubali (Dosse) feeding on two tetranychid mites or pollen (Acari: Phytoseiidae, Tetranychidae)

ABSTRACT The predatory mite, Typhlodromus (Typhlodromus) setubali Dosse (Acari: Phytoseiidae), is a potential natural enemy for controlling mite and insect pests in the Mediterranean basin. The objective of this study is to investigate the life history and population parameters of T. (T.) setubali feeding on Panonychus ulmi Koch and Tetranychus urticae Koch or the cattail pollen Typha latifolia L. at 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35°C with 65% (RH) and photoperiod of 16:8 (L:D). The results revealed that both tetranychid mites were satisfactory diets for T. (T.) setubali, which completed its entire life cycle on the pollen regardless of the temperature tested. When the target prey was P. ulmi, the highest fecundity was 19.32 eggs per female at 30°C (15.90 eggs on T. urticae and 11.06 eggs on T. latifolia) and the maximum of R 0 , r m , and λ was 14.16 offspring/individual, 0.177, and 1.194 days−1, respectively. Typha latifolia pollen can be an alternative diet for effectively mass-rearing the generalist polyphagous phytoseiid mite, T. (T.) setubali. This species can be released as a biological control agent against P. ulmi and T. urticae populations, in perfect compliance with the principles of integrated mite management.

First trials exploring the potential of phytoseiid mites in managing lychee erinose mite, Aceria litchii (Keifer) (Acari: Eriophyidae), infestations on lychee plants.

Phytoseiid mites have been frequently found in association with the lychee erinose mite, Aceria litchii, on lychee plants in Brazil, suggesting that they are promising candidates as biological control agents against this pest. Here, we investigated whether phytoseiids would suppress A. litchii infestation, i.e. formation of erinea, on lychee plants under field conditions. Four groups of A. litchii-infested plants were randomly distributed in the field, with each group receiving either Phytoseius intermedius, Amblyseius herbicolus, A. herbicolus supplemented with cattail pollen or no predator. During a three-month period, the released predators, along with others present in the surrounding environment, were allowed to freely walk among all plants. In each plant, we evaluated the occurrence of phytoseiid species, their abundance, and the dynamics of erinea formation. A total of 2,097 mites, including 13 other phytoseiid species were identified. The most abundant species were Iphiseiodes zuluagai and Euseius ho, rather than the two predator species that were released. A. herbicolus and P. intermedius failed to establish populations in the majority of the plants, regardless of the presence of pollen, suggesting their ineffectiveness in controlling A. litchii infestations. While there was a significant difference in the proportion of erinea among the four treatments, this contrast was not associated with the presence of phytoseiids, suggesting that other factors might have hindered erinea formation on lychee plants. The reasons behind this outcome are further explored and discussed.

Distribution and survival of the predatory mite Blattisocius mali on cucumber leaves with the addition of bran, yeast and pollen

Biological control has a special position in sustainable agriculture that requires continuous exploration and diversification in bio-agents to cope with emerging crop pests. Blattisocius mali is a promising biological control agent against some acarid mites, nematodes and moth pests. This study aimed to examine factors that could increase survival and diminish dispersal of B. mali deprived of its prey, the mold mite Tyrophagus putrescentiae, from cucumber plants. The impact of the presence of males on starving females’ lifespans and the influence of different substrates, i.e., wheat bran, dry yeast pellets, and cattail pollen, on the distribution and survival of starving females in groups with males were examined. Experiments were performed on cucumber leaf platforms in Petri dishes filled with water. The results showed that females lived longer and a lower percentage drowned in water when accompanied by males. On the platforms with the addition of a substrate, the mites mainly stayed within the substrate, and eggs were only recorded in the substrate. They clearly preferred bran over pollen or pollen + yeast pellet aggregations. However, the quality of the substrate deteriorated within the first days, and some mites died of entrapment in the substrates. On the 3rd day, the lowest mean percentage of live individuals was observed on platforms with yeast + pollen (54.4%) followed by pollen (68.9%) alone. At that time, females also stopped laying eggs, and cannibalism towards hatched larvae and adults was observed. By the end of the experiment, 54.67% of the mites had been found dead on the leaf surface, and none of the substrates had significantly influenced their lifespan. The females lived on average 8.19 days and the males 5.06 days. The obtained results are discussed in the context of potential application of B. mali in biological control strategies.

Pollen provisioning attenuates pesticide side-effects on a phytoseiid predator.

Biological control with predatory mites is applied against pests in greenhouse crops. Chemical control with the use of selective, reduced-risk pesticides, is an important component of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs, that often needs to be combined with biological control. Here, we evaluated the effect of plant pollen when used as supplementary food on the survival, reproduction and predation of the predatory mite Amblydromalus limonicus (Acari: Phytoseiidae) after exposing young larvae and adults to flonicamid, an insecticide of moderate toxicity to phytoseiids. Pollen is an important alternative food for generalist phytoseiids ensuring survival and supporting populations build-up during periods of prey scarcity. Two regimes of cattail (Typha angustifolia L.) pollen differing in application frequency were used. In the first, the total amount of pollen was supplied once, within 30 min after insecticide application, whereas in the second regime, the same amount of pollen was supplied gradually, i.e., every 48 h. Regardless of the frequency of application, pollen provisioning results in a reduction in prey (thrips) consumption relative to the control (no pollen provisioning). Nevertheless, when adult mites were directly exposed to flonicamid residues, pollen provisioning attenuated the reduction in prey consumption as compared to the control. In addition, the gradual (every 48 h) provisioning of pollen to adult predators exposed to flonicamid residues impacted positively the intrinsic rate of population increase (rm) of A. limonicus as compared to when feeding on prey. Our results reveal an unexpected role of pollen provisioning in alleviating pesticides side-effects on phytoseiids. © 2024 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

The predatory mite Pronematus ubiquitus curbs Aculops lycopersici damage under greenhouse conditions.

The tomato russet mite, Aculops lycopersici, is a major worldwide pest infesting tomato crops for which only few control methods are available. At present, no commercialized beneficial organism has proven to be an effective biological control agent of the pest. As there is a strong need to develop alternatives to synthetic insecticides, we assessed the efficacy of an iolinid mite, Pronematus ubiquitus, as a preventive method against A. lycopersici in comparison with a curative treatment in a replicated experiment in the greenhouse. After pre-establishment of P. ubiquitus supplied with cattail pollen, followed by infestation of A. lycopersici, the predator was able to reduce pest populations by 98% as compared with control plants. Probably due to lack of food and high temperature, the number of P. ubiquitus decreased during the season and so the Eriophyid population rose, along with crop damage. The sulphur treatment could stop the progress of A. lycopersici, but their population levels remained high. Pronematus ubiquitus has great potential to prevent the establishment of the tomato russet mite. Even if a curative treatment affects the pest mite, the use of a preventive method is preferable as such insecticides/acaricides are harmful for beneficials and are applied after symptom appearance, when the pest pressure is already high. Despite the need to optimise management of the predator throughout the season, P. ubiquitus proved to be able to establish successfully on tomato plants. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Potential of a new phytoseiid species Neoseiulus setarius (Acari: Phytoseiidae) as a biocontrol agent: Biological and demographic parameters on prey and non-prey foods

Neoseiulus setarius Ma, Meng & Fan is a newly described phytoseiid species found in Inner Mongolia of China. To evaluate the potential of N. setarius as a biocontrol agent, we studied life table parameters of N. setarius reared on four food resources, including western flower thrips Frankliniella occidentalis Pergande, eriophyoid mite Aceria pallida Keifer, cattail pollen Typha latifolia L. and poplar pollen Populus alba L. Neoseiulus setarius fed on two prey species developed faster and produced more eggs than those fed with two kinds of pollen. Neoseiulus setarius had the shortest juvenile development time on A. pallida (5.38 days), and the highest daily fecundity on F. occidentalis (2.43 eggs/female/day). The juvenile development time of N. setarius was similar on cattail pollen and poplar pollen, but the fecundity of N. setarius was significantly higher on cattail pollen. There were significant differences in the demographic parameters of N. setarius reared on the four different diets. The highest intrinsic rate of increase (rm) was on F. occidentalis (0.178 day−1), followed by A. pallida (0.159 day−1), cattail pollen (0.127 day−1) and poplar pollen (0.092 day−1). Neoseiulus setarius showed higher fitness in development and reproduction on prey (F. occidentalis and A. pallida) and cattail pollen. These results suggest that N. setarius could be a promising biocontrol agent for the management of thrips and gall mites.

Acylsugar tomato lines suppress whiteflies and Amblyseius swirskii establishment

AbstractPlant defense traits such as trichomes along with biocontrol agents may provide alternatives to insecticide use in tomatoes, Solanum lycopersicum L. (Solanaceae). However, plant‐herbivore‐natural enemy interactions are not always complementary. In a series of greenhouse and field experiments, we explored whether augmented defense traits (i.e., production of acylsugars) in tomato plants could reduce sweet potato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci Gennadius (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), populations and aid the establishment of the predatory mite Amblyseius swirskii Athias‐Henriot (Acari: Phytoseiidae). In the field experiment, commercial tomato cultivars and acylsugar‐producing tomato lines received no predatory mites or mites released via three methods: dusting on top, dusting on bottom, or slow‐release sachets. In the first greenhouse experiment, predatory mites were released onto the commercial and acylsugar‐producing tomato plants via sachets. In the second greenhouse experiment using a similar design, we augmented the mite diet with an alternative non‐prey resource (i.e., cattail pollen). Our results indicated that acylsugar‐producing tomato plants supported significantly fewer whiteflies than the commercial lines in all experiments. However, in the field, despite lower whitefly numbers, Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) (Geminiviridae, Begomovirus) was detected at higher frequencies in acylsugar‐producing lines. Few mites were recovered from all commercial and acylsugar‐producing lines in the field or greenhouse experiments suggesting A. swirskii does not establish well on tomatoes, and acylsugar lines successfully decreased whitefly populations but not a viral disease transmitted even at low whitefly abundance.

Functional and numerical responses are influenced by the feeding experience of Neoseiulus cucumeris (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

Neoseiulus cucumeris (Oudemans) is a commercially available biocontrol agent against various pests. This generalist predator was reared on cattail pollen for 10 generations (G10) and its quality was evaluated using functional and numerical responses to Tetranychus urticae Koch nymph densities as prey. The experiments were conducted by offering a range of prey densities (2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, and 128 nymphs) under standard conditions (25 ± 1ºC, 60 ± 5% RH, and a photoperiod of L16:D8 h). The predator exhibited a type III functional response after ten generations of rearing on cattail pollen (G10), while it was type II when the predator had no experience with pollen (G0). The highest estimated maximum predation rate (T/Th) was in G0 (127 prey/day), and the lowest was in G10 (85 prey/day); while, the observed maximum predation rate (OMPR) in the mentioned generations was 67 and 84 prey/day, respectively. The number of prey consumed and the number of eggs laid by the predator in G10 was significantly more than G0. The effects of predator’s generation, prey density, and their interaction on predation and oviposition rate (on T. urticae) were statistically significant. Therefore, because of the higher predation and oviposition rate, and efficient quality of mass-reared predators on cattail pollen, it is proposed that this pollen can be an appropriate food source for mass rearing of N. cucumeris.

Conservation of predatory mites (Acari: Phytoseiidae) in vineyards by enhancing pollen provisioning

Pollen can be an important alternative food source for generalist phytoseiid mites occurring in vineyards, promoting the persistence of these beneficial mites in prey absence. In three field experiments, we studied the influence of airborne pollen provisioning on the population of generalist phytoseiid mites colonizing vineyards in northeastern Italy. In the first experiment, we investigated whether the presence of predatory mites found in vineyard plots located at increasing distance from hop plants with flowers was correlated with pollen abundance. In the second experiment, cattail pollen was sprayed on the grapevine canopy to evaluate the effect of this food source on predatory mite populations. In a third experiment, we investigated the effect of grass management based on a reduction of mowing frequency on predatory mite populations. Results were published in Malagnini et al. (2022), and showed that the abundance of the predatory mites Amblyseius andersoni, Kampimodromus aberrans, Phytoseius finitimus and Typhlodromus pyri was associated with pollen availability on grapevine leaves. K. aberrans population increases were promoted by hop pollen abundance. Both pollen spray and reduced the frequency of mowing groundcover increased the densities of predatory mite egg and motile stages. Pollen availability positively affected the four phytoseiid species considered here and promoted stable predatory mite populations in vineyards. According to our results, pollen availability could be guaranteed by: hedges with plants having scalar bloom; reducing the frequency of mowing groundcover inter-rows; pollen spray. These practices can be considered in light of biocontrol tactics to conserve predatory mite populations in vineyards. 

Long-term effects of cattail pollen on development, population growth potential, and predation capacity of Amblyseius swirskii (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

ABSTRACT The development and demographic parameters of Amblyseius swirskii Athias-Henriot (Acari: Phytoseiidae) were determined on grains of cattail pollen over 20 consecutive generations (G1-G20). Biological parameters and predation rate of three long-term reread A. swirskii colonies, including those reared on cattail pollen for 10 and 20 generations then switched to Tetranychus urticae (A-G10, A-G20, respectively), and those of A-G10 who fed on T. urticae for three generations (A-G10-3) were evaluated and compared with those fed on T. urticae before long-term rearing (B-G1). According to the results, feeding on pollen for more than 10 generations resulted in a significantly higher intrinsic (r) and finite (λ) rate of increase values than those in the earlier generations. Pre-adult duration of A. swirskii in B-G1 and A-G10 was significantly longer than that in A-G20. Furthermore, r and λ values in B-G1 did not considerably differ from A-G10 and A-G20. The net reproductive rate (R 0) of A-G10-3 was higher than that in A-G10, while it did not vary from B-G1. The r and λ were not affected by the time of feeding on natural prey. The net predation rate (C 0) of A-G20 was lower than B-G1 and A-G10, while its transformation rate (Qp) was higher than the others. Overall, long-term feeding history did not negatively affect the biological and predation parameters of the predator because after switching from pollen to the prey, the predators’ growth and consumption rates did not change. Consequently, cattail pollen can be considered as a good candidate for A. swirskii mass rearing.

Effects of different pollen diets in comparison to a natural prey, Tetranychus turkestani (Acari: Tetranychidae), on development, survival, and reproduction of Euseius scutalis (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

The development, survival, and reproduction of the predatory mite Euseius scutalis (Athias-Henriot) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) were studied under laboratory conditions (25 ±1 °C, 65 ± 5% RH, 16:8 (L: D) h) on strawberry spider mite, Tetranychus turkestani Ugarov and Nikolski (Acari: Tetranychidae), and four different pollen including date palm, cattail, golden shower tree and caper bush pollen. Our results showed that E. scutalis mites successfully developed into the adult stage and reproduced on natural prey and plant pollen tested. Diet type significantly affected the developmental time of immature stages of both females and males. Females reared on T. turkestani had a considerably shorter total developmental time than those raised on other diets. Date pollen and spider mites-fed females began laying eggs much earlier than other females. The lower number of laid eggs was recorded for the females raised on golden shower tree, followed by caper bush pollen. The net reproductive rate (R0) of the predators fed golden shower tree was significantly lower than those provided cattail pollen and T. turkestani. Intrinsic and finite rates of increase (r and λ, respectively) were highest in the females fed T. turkestani (0.3300 ± 0.018 and 1.3910 ± 0.0247, respectively) followed by cattail pollen (0.2721 ± 0.0178 and 1.3126 ± 0.0233, respectively). Based on the current findings, it can be concluded that rearing of E. scutalis on the immatures of T. turkestani was considerably better than on other diets with higher values of egg production and population growth rate under laboratory conditions. Furthermore, cattail pollen followed by date palm pollen are suitable alternative diet sources for easy and cost-effective rearing of E. scutalis in the laboratory.

Identification of Potential Active Ingredients and Mechanisms of Cattail Pollen for Treating Infertile Patients With Endometriosis Based on Bioinformatics and Molecular Docking

Introduction: Cattail Pollen is a commonly used Chinese medicine for promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis in infertility patients with endometriosis, but its ingredients and mechanism of action are still unclear. The aims of this study were to explore the potential active ingredients, targets and mechanisms of Cattail Pollen in treating infertility patients with endometriosis based on bioinformatics and molecular docking. Methods: The GSE120103 dataset was downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database to screen out differentially expressed genes. Cytoscape software was constructed to construct the protein–protein interaction network and screen for hub proteins, and molecular docking was performed to identify the binding activity of Cattail Pollen active ingredients and infertility genes. Then, DAVID software was used to perform gene ontology (GO) functional analysis and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis on differentially expressed genes. Results: There were 1320 differentially expressed genes in patients with endometriosis. ADCY5, RLN3, and ADCY6 proteins encoded by genes that were upregulated in infertile patients with endometriosis. Eight active ingredients of Cattail Pollen were obtained from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform: naringenin ((2R)-5,7-dihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)chroman-4-one), arachidonic acid, isorhamnetin, β-sitosterol, kaempferol, Testosterone palmitate, kaempferol-3-O-α-L-rhamnosyl(1→2)-β-D-glucoside and quercetin. Molecular docking identified that the binding activity of arachidonic acid with ADCY5, RLN3, and ADCY6; and testosterone palmitate with ADCY5 and ADCY6 was strong. GO analysis suggested that differentially expressed genes were involved in multiple biological processes, cellular components, and molecular functions. KEGG enrichment analysis found that differentially expressed genes were enriched in neuroactive ligand–receptor interaction, cytokine–cytokine receptor interaction, chemokine signaling pathway, and Jak-STAT signaling pathway. Conclusions: This study discovered the differentially expressed genes of naturally conceived and infertile patients with endometriosis, and clarified the effective ingredients, targets, and potential signaling pathways of Cattail Pollen in the treatment of infertility patients with endometriosis.

Comparison of biological characteristics of the predatory mite Blattisocius mali (Acari: Blattisocidae) reared on frozen eggs of Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Acari: Acaridae) alone and in combination with cattail and olive pollens

Blattisocius mali (Oudemans), known as a predator of some species of storage pest mites, was reared on frozen eggs of Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Schrank) alone (Tp) but also supplemented with cattail (Tp + cattail) and olive (Tp + olive) pollen. Life table parameters of B. mali were evaluated in the first (G1), eighth (G8) and sixteenth (G16) generation on the three different diets. Survival of the immatures of the predator was not affected by the tested diets, whereas it significantly differed among generations. The highest and lowest mortality was observed in the G8 and G1 generations, respectively, on all diets. Except for the total pre-oviposition period (TPOP) and the adult pre-oviposition period (APOP), all life table parameters of B. mali were affected by the different diets; In G1, supplementation of (Tp) with both pollens significantly increased the fecundity, oviposition period and female life span of B. mali. Population growth parameters of the predator like intrinsic rate of increase (r), net reproductive rate (R0) and finite rate of increase (λ) significantly increased with the supplementation of (Tp) with cattail pollen. However, in G8 and G16, B. mali reared on the two combinations significantly showed the lowest values of oviposition period, female and male life span and mean generation time (T) (only F8). Except for female and male developmental times and TPOP, other biological parameters of B. mali significantly differ across generations. Adding both pollens to the frozen eggs of the prey mite, significantly decreased fecundity, oviposition period, female and male life span and population parameters such as (r), (T), (λ) of B. mali in G16 compared with G1. With comparison of the effects of diet through the generations on biological and population parameters of B. mali, it is concluded that frozen eggs of T. putrescentiae is strongly advisable for mass-rearing of the predator and mixed frozen diets (containing pollen) is suggested as supplemental diet for establishment of the predator after release.

Modeling Temperature-Dependent Development Rate of Neoseiulus cucumeris (Acari: Phytoseiidae) Fed on Two Alternative Diets.

Developmental time of the predatory mite Neoseiulus cucumeris (Oudemans) fed on cattail and almond pollen was determined under laboratory conditions at nine constant temperatures: 10, 15, 20, 25, 27, 30, 32, 35 and 38°C. No development was observed at 10°C. The lower temperature threshold (T0) was estimated to be 10. 97 and 10. 29°C for the almond and cattail pollen, respectively, using the Ikemoto linear model. Thermal constant (K) for pre-adult development of N. cucumeris was 112.8 and 123.5 DD fed on almond and cattail pollen, respectively, using the Ikemoto linear model. The interaction between diet and temperature had a significant effect on the developmental rate of N. cucumeris. The nonlinear Pradhan-Taylor, Janisch/Kontodimas, Briere-1, and Janisch/Rochat models best described the developmental rate of pre-adult stages of N. cucumeris. The estimated Tfast by Pradhan-Taylor model was 31.9 and 33.9°C when fed on almond and cattail pollen, respectively, which was similar to the observed shortest developmental time at 32°C. Our results revealed that N. cucumeris could develop over a wide temperature range (15-35°C), which is a desirable characteristic for a biocontrol agent in biological control programs.

Suitability of pollen as an alternative food source for different developmental stages of Amblyseius herbicolus (Chant) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) to facilitate predation on whitefly eggs

Alternative food sources could sustain predator populations by influencing their performances including predation, development, and reproduction in periods of shortage or scarcity of prey under laboratory or fields conditions. The aim of this study was to explore suitability of cattail pollen (Typha orientalis) as an alternative food source for different stages of Amblyseius herbicolus (Chant) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) on their predation capacity against the eggs of whitefly Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Westwood) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), and the developmental and reproductive responses of the predators to different diet switching regimes under laboratory conditions (T1: nymphs and early adults fed pollen; T2: nymphs fed pollen but early adults fed whitefly eggs; T3: nymphs fed whitefly eggs but early adults fed pollen; T4: nymphs and early adults fed whitefly eggs). Results in the diet switching experiment revealed that although A. herbicolus could prey on whitefly eggs in all the treatment groups, the predatory mites obviously differed in their capacity to prey on the target pest whitefly eggs when fed on cattail pollen and whitefly eggs during different developmental stages. A. herbicolus in group T2 revealed the highest average predation rate, being 1.31, 1.17, and 1.49 times those in groups T1, T3, and T4, respectively. Our results indicated that food sources including cattail pollen and whitefly eggs were suitable for A. herbicolus, because it was able to develop from egg to adult females in all the treatment groups. The mixed diets (T2 and T3 groups) revealed positive effects on the developmental and reproductive parameters of A. herbicolus females, leading to higher oviposition rates and shorter developmental durations when compared with those of groups T1 and T4. A. herbicolus in group T2 revealed the highest average oviposition rates (1.32, 1.26, and 1.81 times those in groups T1, T3 and T4, respectively); however, no significant differences were observed between the T1 and T3 groups. All the eggs of A. herbicolus succeeded in reaching adulthood, but the duration of egg to adult developmental time of A. herbicolus was different among the four treatment groups. The longest and shortest developmental times were obtained in groups T4 and T3, respectively. All the results in the present study demonstrated that A. herbicolus adult females can prey on T. vaporariorum eggs, and cattail pollen was suitable as an alternative or additional food source with high nutritional value for this predatory mite to enhance the predation capacity towards whitefly eggs because A. herbicolus can successfully complete its immature development as well as reproduction.

Provision of astigmatid mites as supplementary food increases the density of the predatory mite Amblyseius swirskii in greenhouse crops, but does not support the omnivorous pest, western flower thrips

Astigmatid mites can be used as prey for mass rearing of phytoseiid predators, but also as a supplemental food source to support predator populations in crops. Here we evaluated the potential of six species of astigmatid mites (living or frozen) as alternative food for the predatory mite Amblyseius swirskii Athias-Henriot in greenhouse crops. All prey mites tested were suitable for predator oviposition. In general, oviposition was greater when prey mites were reared on dog food with yeast than when they were reared on wheat bran with yeast. Amongst prey items provided as frozen diet, larvae of Thyreophagus entomophagus (Laboulbene), Acarus siro L. and Lepidoglyphus destructor (Schrank) that had been reared on dog food with yeast, resulted in the highest oviposition rates of A. swirskii. T. entomophagus larvae as frozen diet resulted in the shortest preimaginal developmental time of A. swirskii. On chrysanthemum plants, we found that the greatest increase in predator density occurred when living mites of T. entomophagous were used as a food source. This increase was greater than when predators were fed cattail pollen, a commonly used supplemental food. Effects on predators of providing living A. siro and L. destructor, or frozen larvae of T. entomophagous as food, were comparable with provision of pollen. Use of supplemental food in crops can be a risk if it is also consumed by omnivorous pests such as western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis Pergande. However, we showed that both frozen and living mites of T. entomophagous were unsuitable for thrips oviposition. Hence, we believe that provision of prey mite species increases A. swirskii density, supporting biological control of thrips and other pests in greenhouse crops.

We Know Who We Are and What Is Needed

AbstractOverall healing, harmony, and balance within Ndee (Apache) communities can be understood through the Ndee term Gózhó—“beauty, balance, and harmony.” Beyond this Ndee cultural precept, however, how are such states of Gózhó achieved, whether in the past or today? Within archaeological research on Ndee lands, achieving healing and promoting health is crucial to overall individual and community well-being. Healing activities that contribute to overall states of Gózhó can take many forms. As Rybak and Decker-Fitts (2009:334) suggest, “Native American healing practices exemplify key cultural perspectives and influence the identity development of Native American individuals.” Such healing practices including the use of yellow cattail pollen (hádńdín; Typha spp.) for protection are based on traditions and perspectives typically outside the mainstream of Western psychological tenets, yet they can have significant impact on the sense of well-being for Ndee communities. Ndee cultural specialists with the White Mountain Apache Tribe demonstrate that such traditions and perspectives are not only necessary for continued community well-being but are powerful conduits amplifying the past as present, which contribute to the ongoing cyclical and reciprocal nature of the ways Ndee communities have related to Nígosdzán—Mother Earth—since time immemorial.

Benefits of a balanced diet? Mixing prey with pollen is advantageous for the phytoseiid predator Amblydromalus limonicus

Plant pollen is an important alternative food for generalist phytoseiid mites ensuring survival and supporting population build-up during periods of prey scarcity. However, in the short term predator efficacy can be negatively affected by pollen provisioning as a consequence of predator satiation or when pollen is preferred over prey. This is counteracted by the fact that, combining pollen with prey in a balanced mixed diet, may benefit the numerical response of the predator and thus, improve the effectiveness of long-term biological control. Here, we assessed the effects of pollen (Typha angustifolia, Zea mays, Pinus brutia) provisioning in a mixed diet with prey (thrips) on the performance and predation efficiency of Amblydromalus limonicus, a predatory mite used against thrips and whiteflies in greenhouse crops. We found that provisioning pollen in mixed diets with high-quality prey resulted in significant decrease in prey consumption. This effect was shown to be stronger for T. angustifolia and weaker for P. brutia when both were combined with thrips larvae. When pollen was provided alongside thrips, this resulted in a significant decrease in juvenile dispersal and oviposition was always higher. The highest value of intrinsic rate of population increase (rm) was recorded for the mix of cattail pollen and thrips, and the strongest increase in rm when thrips were combined with pine pollen followed by corn and cattail pollen. Overall, mixing prey with pollen resulted in higher rm values thus enhancing the medium- to long-term thrips-control potential of A. limonicus.

Nonomuraea typhae sp. nov., an endophytic actinomycete isolated from the root of cattail pollen (Typha angustifolia L.).

A novel endophytic actinomycete, designated strain p1410T, was isolated from the root of cattail pollen (Typha angustifolia L.) and characterized using a polyphasic approach. The strain had morphological characteristics and chemotaxonomic properties identical to those of members of the genus Nonomuraea. It produced spiral chains of spores on aerial mycelium as well as forming a pseudosporangium. Whole-cell hydrolysates contained meso-diaminopimelic acid, glucose, ribose and madurose. The menaquinones detected were MK-9(H2), MK-9(H4) and MK-9(H0). The major fatty acids were 10-methyl C17 : 0, iso-C16 : 0 and C17 : 0. The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylmethylethanolamine, phosphatidylethanolamine, hydroxyphosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol mannoside and an unknown glycolipid. The DNA G+C content of the draft genome sequence, consisting of 11.4 Mbp, was 70.9 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain p1410T belongs to the genus Nonomuraea with the highest sequence similarity to Nonomuraea candida HMC10T (98.6 %), but phylogenetically clustered with Nonomuraea endophytica YIM 65601T (98.4 %) and Nonomuraea longicatena NRRL 15532T (98.3 %). Based on its phenotypic characteristics, DNA-DNA relatedness and average nucleotide identity, the strain is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Nonomuraea, for which the name Nonomuraea typhae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is p1410T (=CCTCC AA 2019044T=JCM 33461T).

High-quality alternative food reduces cannibalism in the predatory mite Amblyseius herbicolus (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

Predatory mites of the Phytoseiidae family are important biological control agents. Many species of this family are omnivores, i.e., besides on prey, they can feed on plant resources such as nectar and pollen. It has been shown that the addition of alternative food for predators to a crop enhances biological control. However, factors such as food availability and quality can also affect interactions such as cannibalism, and thus influence biological control. We investigated the role of quality of the alternative food in the tendency of Amblyseius herbicolus to engage in cannibalism, a common ecological interaction in many phytoseiid mite species. Cannibalism on eggs by A. herbicolus was significantly reduced in the presence of high-quality food (cattail pollen) compared to egg cannibalism without alternative food, whereas this was not the case in the presence of low-quality food (cotton pollen). This suggests that cattail pollen is a high-quality alternative food, not only because it results in increased development and reproduction of predators, but also because it can minimize cannibalism.