Herbivory-associated degradation of tomato trichomes and its impact on biological control of Aculops lycopersici

• DOI: 10.1007/s10493-012-9638-6
• Publication Date: 2012-12-12T09:44:06Z
• Authors: Y. M. van Houten; J. J. Glas; H. Hoogerbrugge; J. Rothe; K. J. F. Bolckmans; S. Simoni; J. van Arkel; J. M. Alba; M. R. Kant; M. W. Sabelis
• Keywords: Trichome; Eriophyidae; Myrmecophyte

Tomato plants have their leaves, petioles and stems covered with glandular trichomes that protect the plant against two-spotted spider mites many other herbivorous arthropods, but also hinder searching by phytoseiid natural enemies of these herbivores. This trichome cover creates competitor-free enemy-free space for tomato russet mite (TRM) Aculops lycopersici (Acari: Eriophyidae), being so minute it can seek refuge feed inbetween on cultivars currently used in practice. Indeed, several species predatory tested biological control TRM been reported to reproduce when offered as prey laboratory experiments, yet practice predator appeared be unable prevent outbreaks. Using mite, Amblydromalus limonicus, we found exactly same, obtained evidence successful establishment a population this whole had previously infested TRM. may explained our observation defensive barrier is literally dropped some time after infestation plants: heads first rapidly develop brownish discoloration which they dry out fall over onto surface. Wherever triggered response, were able successfully establish population. Nevertheless, was still unsuccessful because deterioration TRM-infested areas takes couple days take effect not systemic response plant, thereby enabling temporary from predation pest-free trichome-dense continue formed while grows. We formulate hypothesis unifying observations into one framework an explicit set assumptions predictions future experiments.