title: Olfactory response of the predator Zetzellia mali to a prey patch occupied by a conspecific predator.
abstract: While searching for food, predators may use volatiles associated with their prey, but also with their competitors for prey. This was tested for the case of Zetzellia mali (Ewing) (Acari: Stigmaeidae), an important predator of the hawthorn spider mite, Amphitetranychus viennensis (Zacher) (Acari: Tetranychidae), in black-cherry orchards in Baraghan, Iran. Using a Y-tube olfactometer, the response of this predatory mite was tested to odour from black-cherry leaves with a conspecific female predatory mite, either with or without a female of the hawthorn spider mite when the alternative odour came from black-cherry leaves with the hawthorn spider mite only. Female predators avoided odours from leaves with both a hawthorn spider mite and a conspecific predator, as well as leaves with a conspecific predator only. We discuss whether avoidance emerges in response to cues from the competitor/predator, the herbivore/prey or the herbivore-damaged plant.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plant Protection, College of Agriculture, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran.
authors.forename: Azadeh
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zahedi-Golpayegani
authors.forename: Alireza
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Saboori
authors.forename: Maurice W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Sabelis
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D017753:Ecosystem; D005260:Female; D008925:Mites / Q000502:physiology*; D009812:Odorants; D018515:Plant Leaves; D011235:Predatory Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D012903:Smell / Q000502:physiology*