The predatory mite Phytoseiulus persimilis does not perceive odor mixtures as strictly elemental objects.

ABSTRACT: Phytoseiulus persimilis is a predatory mite that in absence of vision relies on the detection of herbivore-induced plant odors to locate its prey, the two-spotted spider-mite Tetranychus urticae. This herbivorous prey is feeding on leaves of a wide variety of plant species in different families. The predatory mites respond to numerous structurally different compounds. However, typical spider-mite induced plant compounds do not attract more predatory mites than plant compounds not associated with prey. Because the mites are sensitive to many compounds, components of odor mixtures may affect each other's perception. Although the response to pure compounds has been well documented, little is known how interactions among compounds affect the response to odor mixtures. We assessed the relation

SUBMITTER: van Wijk M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2980619 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature