Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
The olive grove is a key landscape across the Mediterranean basin. This agroecosystem is
threatened by Xylella fastidiosa, the causal agent of the olive tree quick decline syndrome, Philaenus
spumarius being the main vector. A way to limit pest populations relies on the use of biological
control agents such as arthropods. Among them, spiders are generalist predators with di erent
hunting strategies that feed mostly on insects and can contribute to limit pests. In this work, field and
laboratory data were used to provide a protocol aiming to facilitate the selection of species of spiders
among di erent guilds that could represent potential natural enemies of P. spumarius. Sampling of
spiders was conducted in olive groves in northeastern Portugal. Two species, namely the orb-weaver
Araniella cucurbitina and the ambusher Synema globosum, were selected according to the dominant
guilds of spiders inhabiting the olive crop. We tested the di erences of potential predatory e ciency
using classical functional response tests with P. spumarius as prey. A type-II functional response was
found for A. cucurbitina, whereas a type-I response was found for S. globosum. This di erence uncovers
a di erent potential e ciency among the two species as natural enemies of P. spumarius with relevant
implications at high prey density in the field. A conceptual workflow to follow the fieldwork and
selection of species for further work (i.e., laboratory assays) is provided and discussed. Standardized
methods regarding the assessment of the suitability and e ciency of potential natural enemies are
essential for the integration of results at di erent geographical extents and crops. Selecting functional
counterparts such as di erent species of predators occurring at di erent locations that use the same
prey (e.g., a pest) in the same way (e.g., hunting strategy) would facilitate developing biological
control schemes.
Description
Keywords
Biological control Functional response Hunting strategy Predators Quick decline syndrome Spittlebug
Citation
Benhadi-Marín, Jacinto; Villa, María; Pereira, Luís F.; Rodrigues, Isabel; Morente, Marina; Baptista, Paula; Pereira, José Alberto (2020). A guild-based protocol to target potential natural enemies of philaenus spumarius (Hemiptera: Aphrophoridae), a vector of xylella fastidiosa (xanthomonadaceae): A case study with spiders in the olive grove. Insects. ISSN 2075-4450. 11:2, p. 1-13