Stellate hairs on leaves of a deciduous shrub Viburnum erosum var. punctatum (Adoxaceae) effectively protect Brevipalpus obovatus (Acari: Tenuipalpidae) eggs from the predator Phytoseius nipponicus (Acari: Phytoseiidae).

Abstract

The eggs of the herbivorous false spider mite Brevipalpus obovatus Donnadieu have a longer incubation period than those of spider mites and are not protected by webs. Brevipalpus obovatus often lays its eggs in the gaps among the hairs on host leaves. We examined the effects of stellate hairs of Viburnum erosum var. punctatum (VEP) leaves on the survival of B. obovatus eggs. Adult B. obovatus and Phytoseius nipponicus Ehara, a generalist predator, were introduced to VEP leaf disks; each B. obovatus egg was inspected daily until hatching. More eggs (63 vs. 42 %) survived on the abaxial surfaces of VEP leaves, where the stellate hairs are more complicated, than on the adaxial surfaces. Predation hazard decreased rapidly with increasing egg age and a substantial portion of the eggs hatched. Phytoseius nipponicus preyed on eggs regardless of egg age when mixed-age eggs were provided. Manipulative experiments with bent stellate hairs showed that the normal hairs reduced the predation risk of B. obovatus eggs by P. nipponicus. Therefore, the predation hazard was considered to decrease since the stellate hairs hindered the search for B. obovatus eggs by the phytoseiid mite.