-11- 



We have thus discovered in these experiments two sorts o£ 

 behavioral reactions of host searching A^ fallacis females while 

 in the neighborhood of substances deposited by red and two- spotted 

 mite prey: (1) stimulated searching activity in the vicinity of 

 extracted chemical substance (s) , and (2) arrestment in the presence 

 of two-spotted mite silk. In nature, it is likely that such chem- 

 ical substance(s) secreted by red and two-spotted mites, is utilized 

 by A^ fallacis adults as a cue aiding in more rapid and better detec- 

 tion of nearby areas infested by prey. Contact with the physical 

 structure of the silk of the prey slows down the host searching 

 activity of A. fallacis adults, arresting them in the immediate locale 

 of an indiviHual prey. These results also support our hypothesis 

 that A. fallacis could become preoccupied for relatively long time 

 perio3¥ searching within areas of two-spotted mite infestations, 

 thereby having the effect of preventing the predator from exploring 

 new areas harboring other hosts such as red mites . 



Chemical substances that are deposited by prey and that influence 

 the host searching behavior of predators such as A.« fallacis are 

 called "kairomones". Eventually, they could be of significant value 

 to pest management programs. For example, if one were to identify 

 and synthesize the kairomone secreted by two-spotted mites and spray 

 it on apple trees together with artificial alternate food substances 

 for A^ fallacis , the result could possibly be greater retention of 

 A. fallacis on the apple foliage during times when natural prey densi- 

 ties are low. Such artificially maintained populations of A^ fallacis 

 could function to "guard" against possible spider mite outbreaks . 



FRUIT NOTES INDEX FOR 1978 



(This index of major articles has been prepared for those who keep 

 a file of Fruit Notes . The number in parenthesis indicates the 

 pages on which the item appears.) 



January/February - Vol. 43(1) 



Varieties of Peaches for Massachusetts (1-3) 

 Trends of Michigan Tree Fruit Industry (Part II) (3-7) 

 Shelf Life of Pesticides in Common Use by Fruit Growers (8-9) 

 European Apple Sawfly: Biology and Development of an Adult 

 Monitoring Trap (9-12) 



March/April - Vol, 43(2) 



Varieties of Raspberries and Blackberries for Massachusetts 



(1-2) 

 Partial Budgeting of Management Alternatives for Fruit 



Growers (3-7) 

 Trends of Michigan Tree Fruit Industry (Part III) (8-10) 

 Tarnished Plant Bug on Apple: Damage and Monitoring Traps 



(10-14) 



