Monika Enigl and Peter Schusberger - Institute of Plant Protection, Department of Applied Plant Sciences and Plant Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources & Applied Life Sciences, Peter Jordanstrasse 82, A-1190 Vienna, Austria
Maternally-inherited symbionts of arthropods are known to influence many aspects of their host's biology. With the advance of the field, enough data has been collected to be of applied value and a novel approach, termed symbiont-based protection (SyBaP) or "symbiotic control", is being considered for combating economically and medically important pests. In an effort to assess the possible use of SyBaP methods against mite pests, one predatory mite - Neoseiulus californicus - and one phytophagous mite - Rhizoglyphus robini - was chosen, and their symbiotic complex was determined. Molecular fingerprinting techniques revealed Spiroplasma in N. californicus, but no significant influence on fitness was found. Similarly, Defluvibacter and another unnamed α-Proteobacterium were found in R. robini, and both were observed concentrated in the same areas of R. robini eggs using confocal microscopy. This study will serve as the first step toward the application SyBaP methods in mites.
Monika Enigl and Peter Schusberger - Institute of Plant Protection, Department of Applied Plant Sciences and Plant Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources & Applied Life Sciences, Peter Jordanstrasse 82, A-1190 Vienna, Austria
Maternally-inherited symbionts of arthropods are known to influence many aspects of their host's biology. With the advance of the field, enough data has been collected to be of applied value and a novel approach, termed symbiont-based protection (SyBaP) or "symbiotic control", is being considered for combating economically and medically important pests. In an effort to assess the possible use of SyBaP methods against mite pests, one predatory mite - Neoseiulus californicus - and one phytophagous mite - Rhizoglyphus robini - was chosen, and their symbiotic complex was determined. Molecular fingerprinting techniques revealed Spiroplasma in N. californicus, but no significant influence on fitness was found. Similarly, Defluvibacter and another unnamed α-Proteobacterium were found in R. robini, and both were observed concentrated in the same areas of R. robini eggs using confocal microscopy. This study will serve as the first step toward the application SyBaP methods in mites.