title: Evaluation of predation abilities of Blattisocius dolichus (Acari: Blattisociidae) on a plant-parasitic nematode, Radopholus similis (Tylenchida: Pratylenchidae).
abstract: Predation and predatory behavior of Blattisocius dolichus on Radopholus similis were tested both in experimental arenas and on potted plants. Predation occurred in all active stages of B. dolichus. Blattisocius dolichus preferred live R. similis when offered together with Caneorhabditis elegans and dead R. similis in a choice test. Consumption rate was affected by temperature, prey density and duration of starvation. Maximum consumption rates were observed at 25 °C, for both adult males and females after being starved for 96 and 72 h, respectively. Consumption rate increased with increasing prey density until satiation was reached, when the predator-prey ratio was 1:250 for both male and female predators. Anthurium andraeanum seedlings, artificially infested with R. similis (1,000 per pot), were used to evaluate the biological control efficiency of B. dolichus. The nematode density decreased by 66 % 10 days after a release of 500 mites per pot.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Plant Nematology and Research Center of Nematodes of Plant Quarantine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China.
authors.forename: Yong Liang
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Chun Ling
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Xue Nong
authors.initials: XN
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Hui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Xie
authors.forename: Bao Xin
authors.initials: BX
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Hou Guo
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Qin
authors.forename: Wan Qin
authors.initials: WQ
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Dun Song
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D029064:Araceae / Q000469:parasitology*; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D008925:Mites / Q000502:physiology*; D010572:Pest Control, Biological; D011156:Population Density; D011235:Predatory Behavior; D017187:Tylenchida / Q000502:physiology*