The searching behaviour of two species of phytoseiid mites, Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot and Amblyseius degenerans (Berlese), in relation to the density and distribution of prey in an homogeneous area (Acarina: Phytoseiidae)

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Abstract
Both Phytoseiulus persimilis and Amblyseius degenerans exhibited area-restricted searching after prey capture(s) regardless of the density and distribution of prey experienced. A reduction in searching speed and an increase in the absolute magnitude of turns following prey capture(s) contributed to area-restricted searching under all prey conditions with P. persimilis, whereas with A. degenerans, area-restricted searching was due to factors other than a consistent change in these searching parameters under all prey conditions. Phytoseiulus persimilis modified its overall searching behaviour to a greater extent at low than high prey densities and under clumped than uniform prey distributions, whereas A. degenerans showed similar postcapture behaviour under all prey conditions tested. The possible consequences of the behaviour of both predators on their searching success under different types of prey conditions are discussed.