Experimental studies on acarine predator–prey interactions: effects of temporal changes in the environment on searching behaviour, predation rates, and fecundity (Acarina: Phytoseiidae)

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Abstract
We examined the effects of temporal changes in the environment on the searching behaviour, predation rates, and fecundity of Phytoseiulus persimilis and Amblyseius degenerans in the laboratory. Phytoseiulus persimilis demonstrated an ability to respond quickly to changes in prey distribution in a patchy environment and maintained its searching efficiency despite these changes. In contrast, A. degenerans was rather insensitive to temporal changes in prey distribution and when it found a profitable patch its visits to other patches were restricted. Thus, this species was unable to maintain its searching efficiency in the changing environment. Phytoseiulus persimilis distributed its progeny in relation to the distribution of prey in the changing environment and avoided oviposition in patches without prey, whereas A. degenerans showed no such discrimination. The fecundity of both species was not adversely affected by changes in prey distribution although their fecundity was lower than when all of the prey were in a single patch and their dispersal was restricted.