The attack of phytophagous mites may induce plants to produce volatiles, which in turn may attract predators. The occurrence of multiple phytophagous infestations on plants may influence predator response. In this paper, we investigated whether the attraction of the predatory mite Phytoseiulus macropilis (Banks) to phytophagous-infested plants would change with the simultaneous presence of two tetranichid mites Oligonychus ilicis (McGregor) and Tetranychus urticae Koch. While the former species is rarely found on strawberry plants and is only occasionally found in association with P. macropilis, the latter is commonly found on strawberry plants and is frequently found in association with P. macropilis. Y-tube olfactometer test assays demonstrated that the predator preferred plants infested with T. urticae, avoided plants infested with O. ilicis, and had no preference for plants infested with both phytophagous mite species. These results indicated that the presence of a non-prey species (O. ilicis) on a given plant can alter the response of the predator to one of its prey (T. urticae). The consequences of the predatory behavior determined in this study on the predator ability to control T. urticae population on strawberry plants are discussed.

Foi testada a eficiência de duas profundidades de aplicação de cupinicidas líquidos para o controle de cupins de montículo Cornitermes sp. (Isoptera: Termitidae) em pastagens na região Sul de Minas Gerais. Estes aplicadores diferiam basicamente quanto à profundidade e distribuição da calda cupinicida dentro do ninho, sendo um aplicador de tubo curto e outro de tubo longo e perfurado. Os resultados mostram que, o aplicador e tubo longo e perfurado apresenta maior eficiência de controle de cupins de montículo em pastagem e que a profundidade e distribuição de aplicação da calda cupinicida interfere na taxa de mortalidade das colônias. O uso de um aplicador com tubo longo, pode ser uma estratégia adequada para o efetivo controle de cupins de montículo, quando se utilizam inseticidas em formulação líquida.

The efficacy of two depths was tested for the control of mound termites, Cornitermes sp. (Isoptera: Termitidae) using liquid a formulation of imidacloprid. Both devices were funnels constructed so as to differ only in the depth and distribution of the liquid within the termite nest. One of the devices was a standard funnel, whereas the other presented a longer tube perforated along its extension and closed in the outer end. Termites in mounds treated with the long funnel died faster than termites treated with the short funnel. It seems that the depth and distribution of the insecticide within termite nest was crucial for the efficacy of the control. We therefore recommend that control methods of termite in mounds should favor the use of applying devices which distribute better the insecticide within the nest.