Oe. Krips et al., The response of Phytoseiulus persimilis to spider mite-induced volatiles from gerbera: Influence of starvation and experience, J CHEM ECOL, 25(12), 1999, pp. 2623-2641
When leaves of the ornamental crop Gerbera jamesonii are damaged by the spi
der mite Tetranychus urticae, they produce many volatile compounds in large
quantities. Undamaged gerbera leaves produce only a few volatiles in very
small quantities. In the headspace of spider mite-damaged gerbera leaves ma
ny terpenoids are present, comprising 65% of the volatile blend. In additio
n, a number of nitrogen containing compounds, such as oximes and nitriles,
are produced.
We studied the attraction of P. persimilis to the volatiles from spider mit
e-damaged gerbera leaves and how attraction is affected by starvation and p
revious experience. Phytoseiulus persimilis that were reared on spider mite
s (T. urticae) on Lima bean were not attracted to spider mite-induced volat
iles from gerbera. Starvation did not influence the predator's response to
these volatiles. In contrast, predators that were reared on spider mites on
gerbera leaves were strongly attracted to volatiles from spider mite-infes
ted gerbera. This was found also for predators that originated from a cultu
re on spider mite-infested bean and were offered six days of experience wit
h spider mites on gerbera leaves.