Resource quality, resource availability, and intraguild predation among omnivorous mirids

Intraguild predation (IGP) among predatory species can influence many plant-arthropod associations. However, the relevance of IGP is poorly understood for truly omnivorous species such as those that can complete development on both animal and plant diets. Here we test the hypothesis that IGP among two omnivorous mirids is more common when extraguild food is either absent or not suitable. Laboratory experiments were performed in experimental cages in order to determine the effect of intraguild prey densities and diet availability on direction and intensity of IGP between Dicyphus tamaninii and Macrolophus caliginosus (Heteroptera: Miridae). Intraguild predation was symmetrical between the two mirid species in the absence of alternative food. Increasing densities of intraguild prey enhanced drastically the incidence of IGP. Intraguild predation was reduced when mirids were in the presence of green or red tomato fruits, but the presence of any other extraguild resources had no impact on IGP level. However, when given before the experiments, all resources with the exception of tomato leaves significantly reduced IGP. A second experiment was performed on live plants to compare the results of the previous trials with that obtained in a more natural setting. No IGP was observed when both mirid species were present on a plant. However, development of the intraguild prey (the more vulnerable strage) was hindered by the presence of the intraguild predator. The potential of such results is discussed from community ecology and biological control perspective.