The impact of conspecific presence on diet-induced developmental responses in a predatory mite

Abstract

Diet and social experience during development can have profound influences on the fitness of individuals and subsequently affect population dynamics. Understanding the factors driving population size is fundamental to ecological studies and pest management. In this study, we investigated the interplay between diet-induced plasticity, cannibalism, social interactions, and life history traits in Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot, a natural predator of the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch. This research explored how varying prey densities and the presence of a non-feeding conspecific during P. persimilis’ immature development impacts survival, cannibalism, prey consumption, developmental time, and size at maturity. Results show that survival rates are influenced by prey availability, with an increase in cannibalism observed under low prey density conditions. The presence of non-feeding conspecifics had a significant impact on P. persimilis, leading to increased prey consumption, accelerated immature development, and reduced size at maturity. These findings provide insights into the complex dynamics of predator-prey interactions and offer valuable implications for pest management strategies involving P. persimilis. The influence of diet and social interaction on additional life history traits, such as lifespan and fecundity, should be examined in future studies.