Within plant migration as an alternative counter-measuring avoidance behavior in Zetzellia mali (Ewing) (Acari: Stigmaeidae)

Predator species and intraguild predators can affect predation on important pest species. This predation response can influence pest consumption when multiple predators co-occur. In sour cherry orchards in Baraghan (Karaj, Iran), Zetzellia mali (Ewing) (Acari: Stigmaeidae) is a predatory mite that feeds on the plant pest Amphitetranychus viennensis (Zacher) (Acari: Tetranychidae) juveniles. Additionally, Scolothrips longicornis Priesner (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) is recorded as an intraguild predator of Z. mali juveniles. We have studied whether the oviposition behavior of predatory mites can change in the presence of intraguild predators through vertical migration within host plant. According to our results, vertical migration happened in a significant number of Z. mali females in presence of conspecific odors (P < 0.01). Odors associated with A. viennensis and the predatory mites triggered upward migration (P < 0.01) while the prey presence alone did not result in any significant movement (P > 0.05). Receiving odors related to the thrips, Z. mali showed no preference for a significant vertical movement, while the presence of thrips and A. viennensis on upwind plants led to an upward migration (P < 0.05).