Density of the eriophyid mites inhabiting the domatia of Cinnamomum camphora Linn. affects the density of the predatory mite, Amblyseius sojaensis Ehara (Acari: Phytoseiidae), not inhabiting the domatia

Abstract

We studied the seasonal occurrence of the eriophyid mites in the domatia of Cinnamomum camphora leaves and the predatory mite, Amblyseius sojaensis, near the domatia. The eriophyid mites increased in number in June, followed by an increase of A. sojaensis. The number of A. sojaensis near the domatia was significantly higher when the eriophyid mites were present in the domatia than when they were absent from it. When the domatia entrance was experimentally filled with glue to prevent the eriophyid mites from being preyed upon, the density of A. sojaensis was significantly reduced. These results showed that the density of the eriophyid mites that inhabit the domatia affect the density of the predatory mite, A. sojaensis, that do not inhabit the domatia.