The effect of temperature on the functional response of Blattisocius mali (Acari: Blattisociidae) preying on the acarid mite Tyrophagus putrescentiae

The effect of temperature on the functional response of Blattisocius mali (Acari: Blattisociidae) preying on the acarid mite Tyrophagus putrescentiae | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Article The effect of temperature on the functional response of Blattisocius mali (Acari: Blattisociidae) preying on the acarid mite Tyrophagus putrescentiae Manoj Kumar Jena, Katarzyna Michalska, Marcin Studnicki This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-5220460/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Published Journal Publication published 02 May, 2025 Read the published version in Scientific Reports → Version 1 posted 12 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Climate warming significantly impacts soil temperature and moisture, leading to changes in the foraging activities of predators. The current research aimed to investigate the effect of temperature on the functional response of the predatory soil mite Blattisocius mali Oudemans preying on either eggs or males of the mould mite Tyrophagus putrescentiae Schrank. To analyze the functional response type, the generalized functional response equation of Real (1977) was used while the functional response parameters were determined using Roger (1972), Hassell (1978), and Cabello et al. (2007) models. Female adult B. mali displayed Type III and Type II functional responses when preying on eggs and males, respectively across all tested temperatures, ranging between 10oC and 35oC. The handling time of B. mali was longer at lower temperatures when preying on either eggs or males. In contrast, the potential for prey mortality, the attack rate, and the Functional Response Ratio were higher at higher temperatures indicating higher efficiency of B. mali at higher temperatures. The temperature strongly impacted predators’ efficiency, as accelerated predator action under warming increased prey consumption. However, functional response type did not change with warmer temperatures but varied with changing prey types from eggs to males. Biological sciences/Ecology Biological sciences/Zoology Acarid mite Attack rate Blattisocius mali Handling time Mesostigmata Potential for prey mortality Predation Figures Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 5 Figure 6 Figure 7 Figure 8 Figure 9 Introduction Ongoing climate change is projected to raise global temperatures by 2 to 8 o C over the next century, with atmospheric CO 2 concentrations expected to reach 800 ppm 1 . This climate warming is leading to changes in precipitation patterns, which can directly impact soil temperature and moisture levels 2 . Temperature can impact the biology, population dynamics 3,4 , abundance, species diversity, and richness of soil mite communities 5 . It also influences the metabolic rate, feeding, locomotor, and searching activity of soil mites 6,7 . It is closely linked to ecosystem functions such as trophic interactions through the consumption and metabolism of the predator and prey 6,8,9 . It can affect predatory soil mites’ functional response which is one of the important aspects of quantifying trophic interactions 10,11 . The functional response is a critical component of the interaction between predator or parasitoid and prey or host, playing a key role in the dynamics of animal populations and ecological communities 11-18 . It illustrates how the number of prey captured by a predator or host parasitized by a parasitoid changes with the density of prey or host available in the environment. There are three basic types of functional response, Type I, II, and III, described by Holling 11 . Over the years, researchers have suggested various modifications to these basic types 16-18 . Type I shows a linear increase in consumption rate until it reaches a plateau; Type II demonstrates a hyperbolic approach to the maximum consumption rate as prey density rises; Type III involves an initial rise in consumption rate, followed by a decrease after reaching a turning point on a sigmoid curve. In insect and mite predators, Type II and III responses are most frequently reported 13,14,19 . Additionally, there is a Type IV functional response, the domed type, which indicates a decrease in predation efficiency at specific prey densities; this has also been noted in predatory mites 20,21 . The effectiveness of a predator can be measured by looking at the functional response parameters, which include the predator’s attack rate, the handling time 14 , and the predator’s potential for prey mortality 22 . Predators with high attack rates and short handling times are expected to be the most effective for biological control 23-25 . Alternatively, if a predator is very efficient and causes significant prey mortality, it is likely to have a high potential for mortality to its prey. On the other hand, if a predator is not as efficient and does not cause much mortality, its potential for mortality will be lower 22 . The ecological impact of the predator can be assessed by the Functional Response Ratio (FRR) which is the attack rate or potential of prey mortality divided by the handling time 25,26 . This parameter is especially useful when handling time and attack rate give the opposite predictions. The higher the value of FRR, the higher the impact of the predator on the ecosystem and vice versa 26 . In invertebrate predators, the type and parameters of functional response can vary depending on host plant 27 , temperature 28,29 , humidity 25,30 , age of predator 31 , type of predator and prey 14,32,33 , and exposure to insecticides 34 . Previous studies show that temperature has the potential to alter the type of functional response in insect and mite predators. For instance, rising temperature shifted the type of functional response from Type II to Type III in the pentatomid bugs Podisus maculiventris Say and P. nigrispinus Dallas (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) preying on larvae of the beet armyworm Spodoptera exigua Hübner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) 29 , the mirid bug Nesidiocoris tenuis Reuter (Hemiptera: Miridae) feeding on pupae of the whitefly Bemisia tabaci Gennadius (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) 35 , and the parasitoid wasp Trichogramma ostriniae Pang & Chen (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) parasitizing eggs of European maize borer Ostrinia nubilalis Hubner (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) 36 . On the contrary, the rising temperature changed the functional response type from Type III to Type II in the phytoseiid mite Amblyseius swirskii Athias-Henriot (Acari: Phytoseiidae) foraging on eggs of the two spotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae) 28 ; the macrochelid mite Macrocheles muscaedomesticae Scopoli (Acari: Macrochelidae) feeding on eggs of the house fly Musca domestica L. (Diptera: Muscidae) 10 and earwigs Euborellia annulipes Lucas (Dermaptera: Anisolabididae) preying on larvae of the diamond back moth Plutella xylostella L. (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) 37 . On the other hand, the temperature change did not affect the type of functional response in the phytoseiid mite Neoseiulus californicus McGregor (Acari: Phytoseiidae) feeding on eggs, larvae, nymphs, or adults of T. urticae 38 and Asian ladybird beetle Harmonia axyridis Pallas (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) preying on nymphs of the pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum Harris (Hemiptera: Aphididae) 39 . This suggests that temperature has varying impacts on the predator-prey system, probably due to species-specific differences in the sensitivity of predator and prey to temperature and foraging behaviour 40,41 . As temperature may destabilize some predator-prey systems by either increasing predator activity or boosting prey mortality rates 37,42 , valuing the effect of temperature on species-specific responses of the predator-prey system can enable a better understanding of the impact of temperature on food webs. Blattisociidae (Acari: Mesostigmata) is a family of predatory mites that inhabit a diverse array of habitats, including soil, mosses, grasses, and dead organic matter. They can also be found in association with fungi and various plant structures such as flowers, leaves, and tree bark, as well as within rodent and bird nests 4,43 . These mites are frequently linked to insects that facilitate their movement to fragmented habitats 43-45 . Among the Blattisociid mites, the genus Blattisocius, including species such as Blattisocius dentriticus Berlese, B. tarsalis Berlese, B. everti Britto, Lopes and Moraes, B. keegani Fox and B. mali Oudemans, is particularly well-studied. Although they commonly inhabit edaphic environments, outside of soil, litter, or rotten plant material, they are often reported in storage facilities, where they prey on coleopteran and lepidopteran pests as well as acarid mite pests associated with stored products 43 . The acarid mites can cause serious problems in stored products, mushroom farms, and horticultural crops 46-49 . Among them, the mould mite Tyrophagus putrescentiae Schrank (Acari: Acaridae), which is an omnivorous acarid mite, common in-house dust, soil with rotting plant material, and vertebrate nests. The T. putrescentiae is a pest of various stored food products and crop plants such as cucumber, gerbera, or bulbs of many ornamental plants 47,50 . It can develop in a wide range of temperatures, from 10°C to 34°C, and at an optimal temperature of 22°C and humidity of 85%, it can make one generation in only 4.41 days 51,52 . There are growing concerns about the environmental and health impacts of the extensive use of chemical pesticides to control T. putrescentiae 53 . To address these issues, alternative methods with lower risks, such as biological control, are being explored 54 . Blattisociid mites B. dentriticus , B tarsalis , B. everti , and B. keegani have been reported to have the potential to control mould mites 55-61 . Additionally, B. mali has been reported as a potential biocontrol agent of insects, nematodes, and mites 62-66 . Notably, the life table parameters of B. mali were much higher than those of B. dentriticus, B. keegani, or Gaeolaelaps aculeifer Raumilben (Acari: Laelapidae) while feeding on T. putrescentiae , which makes this predator an especially promising biological control agent against T. putrescentiae 67 . This study aimed to examine the effect of varying temperature levels on the functional response of B. mali preying on T. putrescentiae . In the previous paper 25 , we demonstrated that a decrease in humidity level not only led to the decrease in B. mali predation rate on the T. putrescentiae eggs but also shifted its functional response from Type III to Type II on this prey. As the temperature has a considerable impact on blattisociid mite activity and development 4,68 , we hypothesized that this factor, similar to humidity, might significantly affect the interactions between B. mali and its prey, and the functional response of this predator. Such a scenario has also been suggested by the study on the M. muscaedomesticae 10 , the only soil mite in which the influence of temperature on the functional response has been studied so far. The mite M. muscaedomesticae was tested using varying densities of eggs of M. domesticae at two temperature levels, 27°C and 33°C. The findings indicated a transition in its functional response from Type III to Type II as temperature increased 10 . In our current research, we tested B. mali over a wide range of six temperature levels including extremes at 10°C and 35°C where this mite could still develop 69 . We also used two prey stages, eggs or adult males of T. putrescentiae to examine whether, and to which extent, the functional response of B. mali might change in the presence of smaller immobile eggs as prey or much bigger and movable males as prey, at varying temperature levels. Furthermore, we have compared different models based on the fitness of our data to provide a better understanding and interpretation of the dynamics within the predator-prey system. Results The statistical analysis indicated a significant effect of both temperature (χ 2 =148.16; df =5; P <0.0001) and the density of T. putrescentiae eggs (χ 2 =925.60; df =6; P <0.0001) offered on the mean number of eggs eaten by B. mali . Moreover, there was a significant influence of both temperature (χ 2 =164.18; df =5; P <0.0001) and the density of T. putrescentiae males (χ 2 =103.45; df =6; P <0.0001) offered on the mean number of males eaten by B. mali . Furthermore, the interaction between temperature and density of prey eaten was found to be significant for both eggs (χ 2 =19.01; df =30; P <0.0001) and males (χ2 =10.34; df =30; P <0.0001) as prey, indicating that the mean number of preys eaten by the predator depended not only on the temperature but also on the density of the prey offered. When T. putrescentiae eggs were offered as prey, the mean number of prey eaten by B. mali increased significantly with rising temperature across all tested prey densities except for 10 or 20 eggs (Figure 1a). On the contrary, the mean number of T. putrescentiae males eaten by B. mali significantly decreased from 10 o C to 15 o C and then rose to 35 o C in most prey densities (Figure 1b). The estimates of the parameters of the Real 70 model showed that the value of the scaling component ‘q’ and handling time T h were greater than zero for T. putrescentiae eggs as prey, indicating a Type III functional response at all tested temperatures (Table 1). On the other hand, the value of ‘q’ for T. putrescentiae males as prey was not significantly different from zero and T h was greater than zero across all tested temperatures, indicating a Type II response (Table 1). The functional response curves showing the relationship between the number or proportion of prey eaten and prey density while using either eggs or males as prey are illustrated in Figure 2. The functional response curves were drawn and compared based on the models proposed by Hassell 14 and Cabello et al. 22 across all tested temperatures when T. putrescentiae eggs were used as prey. The comparison revealed parallel outcomes, indicating that the number of eggs eaten increased with increasing egg densities following a nearly sigmoidal shape (Figure 3). On the other hand, when T. putrescentiae males were the prey, the curves were drawn based on the Roger 71 model for all tested temperatures, indicating that the number of males eaten increased with increasing male densities following a hyperbolic fashion (Figure 4). Based on the Hassell 14 model of Type III functional response, B. mali exhibited longer handling times at lower temperatures compared to higher temperatures when preying on T. putrescentiae eggs. However, at 10 o C, the handling time was significantly shorter compared to 15 o C while there were no significant differences in handling times at 25 o C, 30 o C, and 35 o C (Figure 5). The maximum attack rate of B. mali was significantly influenced by warmer temperatures (χ 2 =43.16; df =5; P 0.05) (Figure 5). The parameters estimated from the Cabello et al. 22 model showed that B. mali exhibited higher potential for prey mortality values and shorter handling times at higher temperatures when preying on T. putrescentiae eggs as compared to lower temperatures (Figure 6). The values of potential for prey mortality were low and did not differ significantly at 10 o C and 15 o C ( P >0.05) while these values peaked but still did not show significant difference at 30 o C and 35 o C ( P >0.05). By contrast, the handling time was the longest at 10 o C, decreased with increasing temperature up to 25 o C, and then stabilized without further change up to 35 o C ( P >0.05) (Figure 6). Warming had a significant effect on both the FRRs (χ 2 =51.91; df =5; P <0.0001) and the maximum attack rates (χ 2 =33.28; df =5; P <0.0001) of the predator when exposed to T. putrescentiae eggs. The FRR was the lowest at 10 o C which did not vary significantly from that at 15 o C. However, at higher temperatures, these values were significantly increased and achieved the highest at 35 o C (Figure 7). Also, the maximum attack rates were found to be lower at 10 o C and 15 o C, showing no significant difference ( P >0.05). In contrast, the maximum attack rates were higher at 30 o C and 35 o C, which also did not differ significantly from each other ( P >0.05) (Figure 7). Based on the Roger 71 model of Type II functional response, the attack rate of B. mali was significantly higher at 35 o C compared to other temperatures ( P <0.05) when preying on T. putrescentiae males. The attack rates fluctuated between 10 o C and 35 o C; it was significantly lower at 15 o C than at 10 o C. However, it increased again at 20 o C, slightly but significantly decreased at 25 o C, and then increased once more at 30 o C ( P 0.05) (Figure 8). Temperature significantly affected both the FRRs (χ 2 =51.91; df =5; P <0.0001) and the maximum attack rates of B. mali when preying on T. putrescentiae males (χ 2 =33.28; df =5; P 0.05). However, the FRR showed an upward trend at elevated temperatures, reaching its peak at 35°C. Similarly, the maximum attack rates were lower at 10 o C and 15 o C, where these values did not differ significantly ( P >0.05). On the other hand, as temperatures rose, the maximum attack rate increased, peaking at 25°C; however, it declined at both 30°C and 35°C, with no significant variation between them ( P > 0.05) (Figure 9). Table 1. Estimates of various parameters of the Real 70 model, a (attack rate), q (scaling component), and T h (handling time), for the proportion of Tyrophagus putrescentiae eggs or males eaten by Blattisocius mali relative to the initial number of eggs or males provided at different temperatures over a 24 hrs period. Temperature ( o C) Prey type Parameters Estimates Standard Errors Pr (z) values 10 Egg a 8.8269 2.50950 0.0004 q 0.5868 0.11521 <0.0001 T h 0.0014 0.00545 0.0184 Male a 1.9644 0.54479 0.0166 q 0.0921 1.07088 0.3895 T h 0.8846 0.12114 <0.0001 15 Egg a 1.2274 0.47540 0.0098 q 0.6203 0.11532 <0.0001 T h 0.0164 0.00023 <0.0001 Male a 1.3645 0.20633 0.0172 q 0.0768 0.89782 0.9317 T h 0.3799 0.51032 0.0149 20 Egg a 0.8147 0.24739 0.0009 q 0.7000 0.08172 <0.0001 T h 0.0112 0.00013 <0.0001 Male a 1.4930 0.49234 0.0024 q 0.2731 0.48173 0.5706 T h 0.3136 0.05175 <0.0001 25 Egg a 8.8764 0.00035 <0.0001 q 0.0832 0.01181 <0.0001 T h 0.0081 0.00019 <0.0001 Male a 1.5172 0.29906 <0.0001 q 0.4295 0.37430 0.2511 T h 0.3208 0.16791 0.0069 30 Egg a 4.5102 0.00076 <0.0001 q 0.2287 0.01391 <0.0001 T h 0.0088 0.00012 <0.0001 Male a 1.8191 0.36637 0.0023 q 0.2191 1.01921 0.4535 T h 0.2417 0.38721 0.0018 35 Egg a 4.5102 0.00076 <0.0001 q 0.2287 0.01391 <0.0001 T h 0.0088 0.00012 <0.0001 Male a 4.4565 1.78402 0.0124 q 0.2414 0.43564 0.5794 T h 0.1844 0.01708 <0.0001 Discussion The present study demonstrated that the functional response of B. mali did not change with changing thermal conditions ranging between 10 o C and 35 o C but varied with changing the prey stage, from eggs to adult males of T. putrescentiae . The temperature ranges we tested are relevant across temperate or sub-tropical regions. Across all tested temperatures and prey densities, the predatory females exhibited Type III functional responses when T. putrescentiae eggs were used as prey and Type II responses when T. putrescentiae males were the prey. In addition, the handling times were shorter at 25 o C, 30 o C, and 35 o C compared to lower temperatures, regardless of whether the preys were either eggs or males. The potential for prey mortality and the maximum attack rate, estimated for eggs as prey, were the lowest at 10 o C and 15 o C but peaked at 30 o C and 35 o C. By contrast, the attack rate of the predator exposed to T. putrescentiae males showed fluctuation from 10 o C to 25 o C, with the highest rate occurring at 35 o C. The maximum attack rate was the lowest at 10 o C and 15 o C, peaked at 25 o C, then slightly decreased at 30 o C and 35 o C. For both prey types, the FRRs increased with rising temperatures, recorded as the lowest at 10 o C and 15 o C and the highest at 35 o C. In predatory insects and mites, the developmental stage of prey can influence the type of functional response 33,38,72 . Such a phenomenon has been also observed in this study. The females of B. mali exhibited Type III functional response when preying on T. putrescentiae eggs while Type II response when T. putrescentiae males were offered as prey. Also, when tested across varying humidity levels 25 , B. mali females initially followed a Type III response when preying on T. putrescentiae eggs; however, when the humidity dropped to a critical level of 33%, they transitioned to a Type II response. This raises an important question about the underlying mechanisms driving shifts in functional response types. In Type III functional response, the proportion of prey eaten initially increases, and generally, this type of functional response is expected when resources or environmental conditions are suboptimal 18,73,74 . As suggested by Hassell 14 , at low prey densities, there may be insufficient ‘reward rate” for a predator to continue the constant prey searching activity. Factors like the necessity of learning to capture prey, the small size of the prey, effective defense mechanisms, or the availability of inaccessible refuges can all hinder predation efforts 18,73,74,75,76 . According to a study on life table parameters 67 , the eggs of the T. putrescentiae were less profitable prey for B. mali than larvae. It suggests that, unlike other prey stages, the eggs of T. putrescentiae may be a suboptimal prey type for B. mali females, leading to a Type III functional response. The eggs are too small to satisfy hunger immediately, and are immobile, making them difficult for predators to detect, especially at low densities. However, the situation may change under worsening environmental conditions such as a drop in humidity. Low humidity may lead to substantial water loss in mites, including predatory soil mites. At 33% humidity, B. mali females significantly decreased predation rate, most presumably to conserve energy 25 . Nonetheless, they also shifted to Type II functional response, indicating that their efforts in searching for prey remained low regardless of whether the egg densities were high or low. Similar to humidity, temperature also affects the functional response of insect and mite predators 10,28,29,35,36 . At suboptimal temperatures, the cost associated with searching for food may exceed foraging rewards due to longer handling times. Additionally, rising temperatures might lead to the shift from Type II to Type III functional response or vice versa 18,77,78 . Contrary to our initial hypotheses, B. mali females did not change the functional responses when preying on either T. putrescentiae eggs or males across the tested temperatures, including extremes of 10 o C and 35 o C. However, this does not mean that a shift in functional response will not occur in this predator if only the range of tested temperatures is widened even further from the optimal values. It should be emphasized that B. mali was tested under conditions of optimal humidity of 85±5%. In another study involving a soil mite, M. muscadomesticae that was preying on eggs of M. domesticae , the shift from Type III to Type II functional response was noted at 33 o C 10 . However, the mite was deprived of food before the experiment and tested at a much lower humidity level of 65.5%. This combination of high temperature and reduced humidity might have affected both the searching rate and functional response of this predator. Studying functional responses not only enhances our understanding of how predator-prey interactions can fluctuate at the population level but also sheds light on the factors that may disrupt the stability of these systems 18,73,77,78,79 . Type II and Type III functional responses show distinct differences in terms of the stability of the predator-prey system. Type II response is characterized by a gradual decrease in the proportion of prey killed, indicating inverse density dependence. By contrast, Type III responses exhibit positive density dependence up to a certain threshold prey density, which may help in stabilizing the system when the average prey densities fall below this threshold 18,73,80 . The recent studies by Daugaard et al. 78 on the effect of warming on the functional response of the ciliate predator, Spathidium sp. and its prey Dexiostoma campylum (Stokes) Jankowski (Hymenostomatida: Tetrahymenidae), have confirmed that shifts from Type III to Type II responses may destabilize the predator-prey system. Simulation studies on population dynamics indicated that shifting to a Type II response resulted in increased prey consumption at low densities, ultimately leading to extinction in nearly all scenarios. Our findings suggest that T. putrescentiae eggs which constitute nearly 50% of a prey population 81 , may play an important role in stabilizing the B. mali -acarid mite system. However, to verify this hypothesis, younger and smaller developmental stages of prey such as acarid mite eggs should be used in the tests on the functional response of B. mali . The phenomenon of warming has been shown to accelerate the metabolic rate, feeding rate, and energy gain requirements 6,82 , which the predators may meet by consuming more prey, possibly explaining our results of increased predation observed under warming. Tyrophagus putrescentiae performed well within a wide range of temperatures from 20°C to 32.5°C 83 , promoting prey population growth and increasing prey availability which coincides with the higher predation by the predator. The increased predation under warming has been observed for the predatory mites M. muscaedomesticae preying on the immatures of M. domestica 84 ; A. swirskii preying on eggs of T. urticae 28 ; Neoseiulus barkeri Hughes (Acari: Phytoseiidae) preying on nymphal stages of T. urticae 85 ; Amblyseius longispinosus Evans (Acari: Phytoseiidae) preying on active life stages of the bamboo spider mite Aponychus corpuzae Rimando (Acari: Tetranychidae) 86 , indicating the widespread nature of this phenomenon. The magnitude of functional response can be described by the predator’s attack rate, handling time, and maximum attack rate 14 . In this study, we also used the potential of prey mortality (α), a parameter of the expression for the Hassell 14 Type III functional response model developed by Cabello et al. 22 . In alignment with our previous study 25 , this model fitted well with our data on the functional response of B. mali when preying on T. putrescentiae eggs. Also, α, which corresponds to the potential of prey mortality in a Type III response turned out to be an useful parameter in the interpretation of the effectiveness of B. mali exhibiting Type III functional response. In our study, handling time was lower while the attack rate and potential of mortality was higher at higher temperatures which might be associated with the higher moving activity, metabolic rate, energy demands, and food intake by the predator B. mali 6,7 . Interestingly, the effectiveness of the predator varied significantly at lower temperatures, specifically between 10°C and 20°C, depending on the type of prey. For eggs as prey, the potential for prey mortality increased steadily with rising temperatures. In contrast, when preying on T. putrescentiae males, the instantaneous attack rate initially showed a slight increase before declining, exhibiting fluctuations until 25°C, after which a marked increase was observed as temperatures rose to 35°C. It must be stressed that the effectiveness of the predator against mobile prey not only depends on its ability to attack and subdue a prey but also on the behaviour and defensive ability of the prey. The temperature might have differently influenced the physiology and behaviour of B. mali females and T. putrescentiae males as well as the outcomes of their interactions. When endangered, T. putrescentiae emits alarm pheromones and attempts to escape 87 , However, the extent to which temperature impacts pheromone production and the prey's behavior, especially in relation to varying prey densities, remains unclear. In our study, we found that an elevated instantaneous attack rate or increased potential for prey mortality at a given temperature did not always result in a simultaneous reduction in handling time or an increase in the maximum attack rate, making it difficult to interpret the actual impact of the predator on the T. putrescentiae . To address this issue, we also calculated the Functional Response Ratio proposed by Cuthbert et al. 26 , for both the attack rate and potential of mortality. This parameter clearly showed that the impact of B. mali on both the eggs and males of T. putrescentiae intensified with rising temperatures, peaking at 35°C. Our findings suggest a high potential for the predatory mite B. mali to reduce the population of T. putrescentiae at higher temperatures. We determined a strong impact of temperature on predator’s efficiency as predator action accelerated under warming and increased prey consumption. The functional response type did not change with increasing temperatures, however, it changed with changing the prey type. Although the findings provide valuable insights into the potential effectiveness of B. mali against T. putrescentiae at varying temperatures and prey types, the scope of the study may limit its applicability to real-world scenarios. It must be stressed that under natural conditions, this predator inhabits various substrates, such as soil, litter, and decaying plant material, in which not only temperature but also humidity can affect predator and prey interaction in various ways. Moreover, substrates can vary in complexity, creating various opportunities for prey to hide and avoid predation 75 . Thus, further studies should explore the common effects of different levels of humidity and temperature as well as the role of habitat structure and prey behaviour on the functional response of B. mali and the stability of the predator-prey system. Methods Mite culture The primary culture of T . putrescentiae reared on instant dry bakers’ yeast and wheat bran in equal parts by weight, was obtained from the mass rearing of the Department of Plant Protection, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Warsaw, Poland 25 . Adults of T. putrescentiae were carefully selected and reared in glass Petri dishes measuring 90mm in diameter, with a mixture of yeast and wheat bran in the same 50/50 ratio, to obtain 24-hour eggs according to the methodology of Pirayeshfar et al. 88 and modified by Jena et al. 25 . The colonies were kept in darkness at 26°C and 95±5% in a Sanyo Environmental Test Chamber (Panasonic MLR-350). The stock population of B. mali was obtained from mass-rearing of the predator, which was maintained within wheat bran and fed on different stages of T. putrescentiae in the climatic room of the Department of Plant Protection at Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Warsaw, Poland. The rearing unit consisted of foam platforms, drenched in water and covered with foil within larger containers as described by Michalska et al. 45,65,66 . The cultures of B. mali were maintained in the Panasonic Environmental Test Chamber (MLR-352-PE), at a temperature of 23°C, with a photoperiod of 16 hours of light and 8 hours of darkness and a relative humidity of 85±5%. Functional Response Experiment The experimental setup included a Plexi-glass cage with a circular hole of 8mm diameter, a piece of filter paper affixed to the bottom of the cell, and a glass coverslip of 18mm × 18mm attached to the top of the cell using paraffin wax 25 . The female cohorts were prepared following the methodology described by Jena et al. 25 . The colony was fed with the mixed life stages of T. putrescentiae reared on yeast 24hrs before choosing the female predators. Female predators were exposed to varying densities, 10, 20, 40, 60, 80, 120, or 160 of either eggs or males of T. putrescentiae at various temperatures ranging between 10°C and 35°C, with a relative humidity of 85±5% RH and a photoperiod of 16:8h in an incubator (MIR-154-PE) for 24 hrs. The separation of T. putrescentiae eggs from other life stages was achieved by sieving the rearing colonies through a 100µm mesh screen and transferring eggs to the cell of the cage using a fine paintbrush 25 . The selection of T. putrescentiae males was done manually from the mixed population and placed in the cages with care to avoid any harm. Wet filter paper was initially placed around the hole to prevent the males from escaping, which was then replaced with a cover slip once the desired densities were achieved. After the 24-hour exposure period, the predators were removed, and the consumption of eggs or males was noted, excluding any that remained. Cages where a live predator was not recovered due to loss or death were excluded from the analysis. Each egg density was replicated twenty times at each temperature, while each male density was replicated fifteen times at each temperature. To examine the impact of temperature and prey density on the consumption of T. putrescentiae eggs or males by B. mali , we applied Generalized Linear Models (GLM) with a Poisson probability distribution. To further analyze the results, Tukey's linear contrast was employed as a post hoc test. The analysis of the functional response data was conducted in two phases. Initially, we focused on identifying the specific type of functional response followed by an estimation of the parameters associated with the functional response. The functional response type was identified by applying the generalized functional response equation developed by Real 70 . The modified Holling disc equation, as proposed by Real 70 (equation 1), was as follows 89 : Where N a is the number of prey eaten, N 0 is the initial number of prey densities provided, a is the predator's instantaneous attack rate or searching efficiency, T h is the handling time, T is the time length of the assay, and q is the scaling component that determines the shape of the curve. The functional response curve can be of different types: Type I, which is a linear relationship (q = 0 and T h = 0), Type II, characterized by a hyperbolic curve (q = 0, T h > 0), and Type III, displaying a sigmoid curve (q > 0, T h > 0). After identifying the adequate shape of the functional response, the functional response parameters, i.e., instantaneous attack rate (a), handling time (T h ), and the potential for prey mortality (α), were determined by fitting them to appropriate models. The data was then fitted to equations proposed by Roger 71 (equation 2), Hassell 14 (equations 3), and Cabello et al. 22 (equation 4), using non-linear least squares regression, as the prey that was depleted during the experiment was not replenished: Where N a is the number of prey eaten, N 0 is the initial number of prey density offered, a is the predator’s instantaneous attack rate, T h is the handling time, P is the number of predators used, T is the time length of the assay, α is the potential of mortality of the predator, and b and c are the constants that relate a and N 0 in Type III functional response as . In our experiment, P=1 and T= 1 day. We determined the values of parameters a, T h , and α at all tested temperatures using a non-linear least square regression approach. The confidence intervals (±95% CI) were calculated for these parameters, with significant differences between means indicated by non-overlapping intervals (P < 0.05). To calculate the Confidence Intervals (CI), we employed the permutation test method as described by Ernst 90 . Additionally, we analyzed the proportion of prey eaten by the predator at varying densities using Generalized Linear Models (GLM) with a gamma probability distribution. Further, to compare and analyze the functional response parameters a, α, and T h at six temperatures for both eggs and males as prey, the functional response ratio (FRR) was estimated by using either the attack rate (a) or potential of prey mortality (α) divided by the handling time (T h ) 25,26 . Furthermore, the maximum attack rate of the predator was determined by dividing the duration of assay (T) by the handling time (T h ). To assess whether FRRs and predation rates varied across tested temperatures, one-way Kruskal-Wallis’s rank sum tests were conducted. Post hoc comparisons were made using the Dunn test with Bonferroni corrections 25 . All statistical analyses were conducted using R version 4.3.0 (The R Foundation for Statistical Computing, Vienna, Austria) 91 . Declarations Acknowledgments The publication was financed by the Science Development Fund of the Warsaw University of Life Sciences – SGGW. Author contributions The authors’ names are given in alphabetical order. Conceptualization, M.K.J., K.M., and M.S.; Designing the methodology, M.K.J., K.M., and M.S.; Investigation, M.K.J., K.M., and M.S.; software, M.S.; validation, formal analysis, resources, data curation, writing—original draft preparation, writing— review and editing, visualization, funding acquisition, M.K.J., K.M., and M.S.; supervision, project administration, K.M. All authors have read and approved the manuscript. Funding statement The research did not receive any external grants Data Availability Statement The data used in this study are available by email request to the corresponding author. Competing interests No competing interests exist References IPCC. Climate change 2013: the physical science basis. In: Stocker, T. F., Qin, D., Plattner, G. K., Tignor, M. M., Allen, S., Boschung, J., Nauels, A., Xia, Y., Bex, V., Midgley, P. (Eds.), Contribution of Working Group I to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge (2013). van Straalen, N. M. Adaptive significance of temperature responses in Collembola. Acta Zool. Fennica 195 , 135–142 (1994). Gobbi, P. C. et al. Effects of thermal shock on the survival and reproduction of Stratiolaelaps scimitus (Mesostigmata: Laelapidae). Exp. Appl. Acarol. 82 (4), 493-501 (2020). Zhang, N., Smith, C. L., Yin, Z., Yan, Y. & Xie, L. Effects of temperature on the adults and progeny of the predaceous mite Lasioseius japonicus (Acari: Blattisociidae) fed on the cereal mite Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Acari: Acaridae). Exp. Appl. Acarol. 86 (4), 499-515 (2022). Kamczyc, J., Dyderski, M. K., Horodecki, P. & Jagodziński, A. M. Temperature and precipitation affect seasonal changes in mite communities (Acari: Mesostigmata) in decomposing litter of broadleaved and coniferous temperate tree species. Ann. For. Sci. 79 (1), 12 (2022). Ramachandran, D., Lindo, Z. & Meehan, M. L. Feeding rate and efficiency in an apex soil predator exposed to short-term temperature changes. Basic Appl. Ecol. 50 , 87-96 (2021). Moshkin, V. S. & Brygadyrenko, V. V. Influence of air temperature and humidity on Stratiolaelaps scimitus (Acari, Mesostigmata) locomotor activity in a laboratory experiment. Biosyst. Divers. 30 (2), 191-197 (2022). Avdonin, V. V. & Striganova, B. R. Temperature as a factor of niche separation in free-living mesostigmatid mites (Mesostigmata: Arachnida, Parasitiformes) of storm detritus. Biol. Bull. Russ. Acad. Sci. 31 , 488-495 (2004). Lang, B., Rall, B. C., Scheu, S. & Brose, U. Effects of environmental warming and drought on size‐structured soil food webs. Oikos 123 (10), 1224-1233 (2014). Shiralizadeh, R., Esfandiari, M., Shishehbor, P. & Farahi, S. Effect of temperature on the functional response of the predatory mite Macrocheles muscaedomesticae (Acari: Macrochelidae) by feeding on eggs of the house fly, Musca domestica (Diptera: Muscidae). Plant Prot. (Sci. J. Agric.) , 44 (2), 19-31 (2021). Holling, C. S. Some characteristics of simple types of predation and parasitism. Can. Entomol. 91 , 385–398 (1959). Solomon, M. E. The Natural Control of Animal Populations. J. Anim. Ecol. 18 , 1 (1949). Holling, C. S. The components of predation as revealed by a study of small-mammal predation of the European pine sawfly. Can. Entomol. 91 , 293–320 (1959). Hassell, M. P. Functional Responses. In The Dynamics of Arthropod Predator-Prey Systems 13 , 28–49 (Princeton University Press, 1978). Krebs, Ch. J. Some historical thoughts on the functional responses of predators to prey density. Front. Ecol. Evol. 10 , 1052289 (2022). Jeschke, J. M., Kopp, M. & Tollrian, R. Predator functional responses: discriminating between handling and digesting prey. Ecol. Monogr. 72 (1), 95-112 (2002). Jeschke, J. M., Kopp, M. & Tollrian, R. Consumer-food systems: why type I functional responses are exclusive to filter feeders. Biol. Rev. 79 (2), 337-349 (2004). Kalinkat, G., Rall, B. C., Uiterwaal, S. F. & Uszko, W. Empirical evidence of type III functional responses and why it remains rare. Front. Ecol. Evol. 11 , 1033818 (2023). Holling, C. S. Principles of insect predation. Ann. Rev. Entomol. 6 , 163-182 (1961). Mori, H. & Chant, D. A. The influence of prey density, relative humidity, and starvation on the predacious behaviour of phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot (acarina: phytoseiidae). Can. J. Zool. 44 , 483–491 (1966). Köhnke, M. C., Siekmann, I., Seno, H. & Malchow, H. A type IV functional response with different shapes in a predator–prey model. J. Theor. Biol. 505 , 110419 (2020). Cabello, T., Gámez, M. & Varga, Z. An improvement of the Holling Type III functional response in entomophagous species model. J. Biol. Syst. 15 , 515–524 (2007). Pervez, A. & Omkar. Functional responses of coccinellid predators: An illustration of a logistic approach. J. Insect Sci. 5 , (2005). Fathipour, Y. & Maleknia, B. Mite Predators. In: Omkar (Ed.), Ecofriendly Pest Management for Food Security. Elsevier, San Diego, USA, pp. 329-366 (2016). Jena, M. K., Michalska, K. & Studnicki, M. The impact of humidity on the functional response of B lattisocius mali (Acari: Blattisociidae) preying on the acarid mite T yrophagus putrescentiae. Sci. Rep. (Preprint) Cuthbert, R. N. et al. The Functional Response Ratio (FRR): advancing comparative metrics for predicting the ecological impacts of invasive alien species. Biol. Invasions 21 , 2543–2547 (2019). Koveos, D. S. & Broufas, G. D. Functional response of Euseius finlandicus and Amblyseius andersoni to Panonychus ulmi on apple and peach leaves in the laboratory. Exp. Appl. Acarol. 24 : 247–256 (2000). Afshar, F. R. & Latifi, M. Functional response and predation rate of Amblyseius swirskii (Acari: Phytoseiidae) at three constant temperatures. Persian J. Acarol. 6 (4), 299-314 (2017). Mohaghegh, De Clercq & Tirry. Functional response of the predators Podisus maculiventris (Say) and Podisus nigrispinus (Dallas) (Heteroptera, Pentatomidae) to the beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua (Hübner) (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae): effect of temperature. J. Appl. Entomol. 125 , 131–134 (2001). Döker, I., Kazak, C. & Karut, K. Functional response and fecundity of a native Neoseiulus californicus population to Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Phytoseiidae, Tetranychidae) at extreme humidity conditions. Syst. Appl. Acarol. 21 , 1463 (2016). Fathipour, Y., Karimi, M., Farazmand, A. & Talebi, A. A. Age-specific functional response and predation rate of Amblyseius swirskii (Phytoseiidae) on two-spotted spider mite. Syst. Appl. Acarol. 22 (2): 159–169 (2017). Stream, F. A. Effect of prey size on attack components of the functional responses by Notonecta undulate . Oecologia 98 , 57–63 (1994). Hassanpour, M., Mohaghegh, J., Iranipour, S., Nouri-Ganbalani, G. & Enkegaard, A. Functional response of Chrysoperla carnea (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) to Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae): Effect of prey and predator stages. Insect Sci. 18 : 217–224 (2011). Poletti, M., Maia, A. H. N. & Omoto, C. Toxicity of neonicotinoid insecticides to Neoseiulus californicus and Phytoseiulus macropilis (Acari: Phytoseiidae) and their impact on functional response to Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae). Biol. Control 40 , 30–36 (2007). Madbouni, M. A., Samih, M. A., Namvar, P. & Biondi, A. Temperature-dependent functional response of Nesidiocoris tenuis (Hemiptera: Miridae) to different densities of pupae of cotton whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae). Eur. J. Entomol. 114 , 325–331 (2017). Wang, B. & Ferro, D. N. Functional Responses of Trichogramma ostriniae (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) to Ostrinia nubilalis (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) Under Laboratory and Field Conditions. Environ. Entomol. 27 , 752–758 (1998). Da Silva Nunes, G. et al. Temperature-dependent functional response of Euborellia annulipes (Dermaptera: Anisolabididae) preying on Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) larvae. J. Therm. Biol. 93 , 102686 (2020). Mumtaz, M. et al. Functional response of Neoseiulus californicus (Acari: Phytoseiidae) to Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae) at different temperatures. Peer J . 11 , e16461 (2023). Islam, Y. et al. Functional response of Harmonia axyridis preying on Acyrthosiphon pisum nymphs: the effect of temperature. Sci. Rep. 11 , 13565 (2021). Walker, R., Wilder, S. M. & González, A. L. Temperature dependency of predation: Increased killing rates and prey mass consumption by predators with warming. Ecol. Evol. 10 , 9696–9706 (2020). Davidson, A. T., Hamman, E. A., McCoy, M. W. & Vonesh, J. R. Asymmetrical effects of temperature on stage-structured predator-prey interactions. Funct. Ecol. 35 , 1041–1054 (2021). Taylor, D. & Collie, J. Effect of temperature on the functional response and foraging behaviour of the sand shrimp Crangon septemspinosa preying on juvenile winter flounder Pseudopleuronectes americanus . Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 263 , 217–234 (2003). de Moraes, G. J., Venancio, R., dos Santos, V. L. V. & Paschoal, A. D. Potential of Ascidae, Blattisociidae and Melicharidae (Acari: Mesostigmata) as Biological Control Agents of Pest Organisms. In Prospects for Biological Control of Plant Feeding Mites and Other Harmful Organisms; Springer International Publishing: Cham, Switzerland 33–75 (2015). Mašán, P. A new, morphologically and ecologically unusual Lasioseius mite (Acari: Blattisociidae) associated with Diaperis boleti (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae) and wood-decomposing fungi in Slovakia. Acarologia 63 (1), 89-105 (2023). Michalska, K., Mrowińska, A. & Studnicki, M. Ectoparasitism of the Flightless Drosophila melanogaster and D. hydei by the Mite Blattisocius mali (Acari: Blattisociidae). Insects 14 , 146 (2023). Hughes, A. The mites of stored food and houses. Technical Bull., Min. Agric. and Fisheries in London 73 , 145 (1976). Zhang, Z. Q. Acarid Mites. Part II pest mites. In: mites of greenhouses-identification, biology, and control. CABI, Walingford, UK, 8 , 141-158 (2003). Itisha, Gulati, R., Anita & Manoj. Damage potential of Tyrophagus putrescentiae Schrank (Acari: Acaridae) in mushrooms. Emergent Life Sci. Res. 3 (2), 6-15 (2017). Murillo, P., Arias, J. & Aguilari, H. First record and verification of Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Acari: Acaridae) causing direct damage on anthurium plants cultivated in vitro . Syst. Appl. Acarol. 26 (11), 2048–2058 (2021). Hubert, J. et al. Mites as Selective Fungal Carriers in Stored Grain Habitats. Exp. Appl. Acarol. 29 , 69–87 (2003). Sánchez-Ramos, I. & Castañera, P. Development and survival of Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Acari: Acaridae) at constant temperatures. Environ. Entomol. 30 (6), 1082-1089 (2001). Qu, S. X. et al. Effects of different edible mushroom hosts on the development, reproduction and bacterial community of Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Schrank). J. Stored Prod. Res. 61 , 70–75 (2015). Platts-Mills, T. A., Vaughan, J. W., Carter, M. C. & Woodfolk, J. A. The role of intervention in established allergy: avoidance of indoor allergens in the treatment of chronic allergic disease. J. Allergy Clin. Immunol. 106 (5), 787-804 (2000). Sorenson, J. G, Addison, M. F. & Terblanche, J. S. Mass rearing of insects for pest management: Challenges, synergies and advances from evolutionary physiology. Crop Prot. 38 , 87-94 (2012). Rivard, I. A technique for individual rearing of the predacious mite Melichares dentriticus (Berlese) (Acarina: Aceosejidae) with notes on its life history and behavior. Can. Entomol. 92 (11): 834–839 (1960). Rivard, I. Influence of humidity on the predaceous mite Melichares dentriticus (Berlese) (Acarina: Aceosejidae). Can. J. Zool. 40 , 761–766 (1962). Rivard, I. Some effects of prey density on survival, speed of development, and fecundity of the predaceous mite Melichares dendriticus (Berlese) (Acarina: Aceosejidae). Can. J. Zool. 40 (7), 1233–1236 (1962). Riudavets, J., Lucas, E. & Pons, M. J. Insects and mites of stored products in the northeast of Spain. IOBC Bull. 25 (3), 41–44 (2002). Riudavets, J., Maya, M. & Monserrat, M. Predation by Blattisocius tarsalis (Acari: Ascidae) on stored product pests. IOBC WPRS Bull. 25 (3), 121–126 (2002). Esteca, F. D. C. N., Pérez-Madruga, Y., Britto, E. P. J. & de Moraes, G. J. Does the ability of Blattisocius species to prey on mites and insects vary according to the relative length of the cheliceral digits? Acarologia 54 (3), 359–365 (2014). Kassem, E. M. K. Predation by Blattisocius tarsalis (Acari: Ascidae) on two stored product pest mites. Int. J. Entomol. Res. 4 (4), 74–76 (2019). Abbas, A. A., Yassin, E. M. A., El-Bahrawy, A. F., El-Sharabasy, H. M. & Kamel, M. S. Biology of Blattisocius mali (Oudemans) (Acari: Gamasida: Ascidae) feeding on different diets under laboratory conditions. EVMSPJ 16 , 92–101 (2020). Gallego, J. R., Caicedo, O., Gamez, M., Hernandez, J. & Cabello, T. Selection of Predatory Mites for the Biological Control of Potato Tuber Moth in Stored Potatoes. Insects 11 , 196 (2020). Solano-Rojas, Y., Gallego, J. R., Gamez, M., Garay, J., Hernandez, J. & Cabello, T. Evaluation of Trichogramma cacaeciae (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) and Blattisocius mali (Mesostigmata: Blattisociidae) in the post-harvest biological control of the potato tuber moth (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae): Use of sigmoid functions. Agriculture 12 , 519 (2022). Michalska, K., Mrowińska, A., Studnicki, M. & Jena, M. K. Feeding behaviour of the mite Blattisocius mali on eggs of the fruit flies Drosophila melanogaster and D. hydei . Diversity 15 , 652 (2023). Michalska, K. et al. Preliminary studies on the predation of the mite Blattisocius mali (Acari: Blattisociidae) on various life stages of spider mite, thrips and fruit fly. Insects 14 , 747 (2023). Asgari, F., Safavi, S. A. & Moayeri, H. R. S. Life table parameters of the predatory mite, Blattisocius mali Oudemans (Mesostigmata: Blattisociidae), fed on eggs and larvae of the stored product mite, Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Schrank). Egypt. J. Biol. Pest Control 32 (1), 118 (2022). Nielsen, P. S. (1999). The impact of temperature on activity and consumption rate of moth eggs by Blattisocius tarsalis (Acari: Ascidae). Exp. Appl. Acarol. 23 , 149-157. Jena, M. K., Michalska, K. & Studnicki, M. The life table parameters of B lattisocius mali (Acari: Blattisociidae) preying on the acarid mite T yrophagus putrescentiae at different temperatures (Unpublished) Real, L. A. The Kinetics of Functional Response. Am. Nat. 111 , 289–300 (1977). Rogers, D. J. Random search and insect population models. J. Anim. Ecol. 41 , 369-383 (1972). Li et al. Functional response and prey stage preference of Neoseiulus barkeri on Trasonemus confusus . Syst. Appl. Acarol. 23 (11), 2244-2258 (2018). Hassell, M. P., Lawton, J. H. & Beddington, J. R. Sigmoid functional response by invertebrate predators and parasitoids. J. Animal Ecol. 46 : 249–262 (1977). Barrios‐O'Neill, D., Kelly, R., Dick, J. T., Ricciardi, A., MacIsaac, H. J. & Emmerson, M. C. (2016). On the context‐dependent scaling of consumer feeding rates. Ecol. Lett. 19 (6), 668-678 (2016). Hammill, E., Petchey, O. L. & Anholt, B. R. Predator functional response changed by induced defenses in prey. Am. Nat. 176 (6), 723-731 (2010). Vucic‐Pestic, O., Rall, B. C., Kalinkat, G. & Brose, U. Allometric functional response model: body masses constrain interaction strengths. J. Animal Ecol. 79 (1), 249-256 (2010). Uszko, W., Diehl, S., Englund, G. & Amarasekare, P. Effects of warming on predator–prey interactions–a resource‐based approach and a theoretical synthesis. Ecol. Lett. 20 (4), 513-523 (2017). Daugaard, U., Petchey, O. & Pennekamp, F. Warming can destabilize predator-prey interactions by shifting the functional response from Type III to Type II. J. Anim. Behav . 88 , 1575–1586 (2019). Rall, B. C., Guill, C. & Brose, U. Food‐web connectance and predator interference dampen the paradox of enrichment. Oikos 117 (2), 202-213 (2008). Juliano, S. A. Non-linear curve fitting: predation and functional response curves. In: Scheiner, S. M., Gurevitch, J. (Eds.), Design and Analysis of Ecological Experiments. Oxford University Press, New York 178–196 (2001). Boczek, J. Mite pests in stored food. Ecol. Manag. food Ind. Pests. arlingt. FDA Tech. Bull. 4 : 57–79 (1991). Monteiro, V. B., França, G. F., Gondim, M. G. C., Lima, D. B., Melo, J. W. S. Neoseiulus baraki (Acari: Phytoseiidae) survival and walking in response to environmental stress. Syst. Appl. Acarol. 24 (3):487–496 (2019). Sánchez-Ramos, I. & Castañera, P. Effect of temperature on reproductive parameters and longevity of Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Acari: Acaridae). Exp. Appl. Acarol. 36 , 93-105 (2005). Geden, C. J. & Axtell, R. C. Predation by Carcinops pumilio (Coleoptera: Histeridae) and Macrocheles muscaedomesticae (Acarina: Macrochelidae) on the house fly (Diptera: Muscidae): functional response, effects of temperature, and availability of alternative prey. Environ. Entomol. 17 (4), 739-744 (1988). Jafari, S., Fathipour, Y. & Faraji, F. The influence of temperature on the functional response and prey consumption of Neoseiulus barkeri (Acari: Phytoseiidae) on Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae). J. Entomol. Soc. Iran 31 (2), 39–52 (2012). Zhang, Y., Zhang, Z. Q., Lin, J. & Liu, Q. Predation of Amblyseius longispinosus (Acari: Phytoseiidae) on Aponychus corpuzae (Acari: Tetranychidae). Syst. Appl. Acarol. 3 (1), 53-58 (1998). Kuwahara, Y., Ishii, S. & Fukami, H. Neryl formate: Alarm pheromone of the cheese mite, Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Schrank) (Acarina: Acaridae). Experientia 31 , 1115–1116 (1975). Pirayeshfar, F., Safavi, S. A., Moayeri, H. R. S. & Messelink, G. J. Provision of astigmatid mites as supplementary food increases the density of the predatory mite Amblyseius swirskii in greenhouse crops, but does not support the omnivorous pest, western flower thrips. BioControl 66 , 511–522 (2021). Pritchard, D. W., Paterson, R. A., Bovy, H. C. & Barrios‐O’Neill, D. frair: an R package for fitting and comparing consumer functional responses. Methods Ecol. Evol. 8 , 1528–1534 (2017). Ernst, M. D. "Permutation Methods: A Basis for Exact Inference." Statist. Sci. 19 (4), 676 – 685 (November 2004). R Core Team. R: A language and environment for statistical computing. R foundation for statistical computing, Vienna, Austria (2023). Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Published Journal Publication published 02 May, 2025 Read the published version in Scientific Reports → Version 1 posted Editorial decision: Revision requested 25 Nov, 2024 Reviews received at journal 20 Nov, 2024 Reviews received at journal 07 Nov, 2024 Reviews received at journal 04 Nov, 2024 Reviewers agreed at journal 31 Oct, 2024 Reviewers agreed at journal 28 Oct, 2024 Reviewers agreed at journal 28 Oct, 2024 Reviewers invited by journal 27 Oct, 2024 Editor assigned by journal 27 Oct, 2024 Editor invited by journal 21 Oct, 2024 Submission checks completed at journal 19 Oct, 2024 First submitted to journal 07 Oct, 2024 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. Our growing team is made up of researchers and industry professionals working together to solve the most critical problems facing scientific publishing. Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-5220460","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":382117629,"identity":"a6bcc33d-906c-4b8b-9ba4-c6273b8e4264","order_by":0,"name":"Manoj Kumar Jena","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Warsaw University of Life Sciences","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Manoj","middleName":"Kumar","lastName":"Jena","suffix":""},{"id":382117630,"identity":"086796f9-bb5d-4b26-9456-d1907766b49a","order_by":1,"name":"Katarzyna Michalska","email":"data:image/png;base64,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","orcid":"","institution":"Warsaw University of Life Sciences","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Katarzyna","middleName":"","lastName":"Michalska","suffix":""},{"id":382117631,"identity":"b27ca35f-3289-406d-8259-42a83ba8131b","order_by":2,"name":"Marcin Studnicki","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Warsaw University of Life Sciences","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Marcin","middleName":"","lastName":"Studnicki","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2024-10-07 20:23:07","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-5220460/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-5220460/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[{"content":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-00268-z","type":"published","date":"2025-05-02T15:57:28+00:00"}],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":71137940,"identity":"e6dd6201-6b8f-4ea3-9de9-437972d652b5","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-12-11 13:26:14","extension":"png","order_by":1,"title":"Figure 1","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":123155,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eThe effect of six temperatures and seven densities of \u003cem\u003eTyrophagus putrescentiae\u003c/em\u003e eggs or males on the mean number (±95% CI) of the \u003cem\u003eT. putrescentiae\u003c/em\u003e eggs (a) or males (b) eaten by \u003cem\u003eBlattisocius mali \u003c/em\u003eover 24 hrs period\u003cem\u003e. \u003c/em\u003eDifferent lowercase or uppercase letters indicate significant differences between means (\u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e\u0026lt;0.05) for various prey densities within each temperature or among different temperatures, respectively.\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"1.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-5220460/v1/1cc6e444b959215bc69210fe.png"},{"id":71138798,"identity":"d6451666-a2c0-421e-96e9-4d08d781ce09","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-12-11 13:34:14","extension":"jpg","order_by":2,"title":"Figure 2","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":77248,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eThe functional response curves in terms of the number and proportion of the \u003cem\u003eTyrophagus putrescentiae\u003c/em\u003e eggs (a) or males (b)\u003cem\u003e \u003c/em\u003eeaten by \u003cem\u003eBlattisocius mali\u003c/em\u003e at six temperatures and seven prey densities.\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"2.jpg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-5220460/v1/6dba7ccba9be823ec08f4e52.jpg"},{"id":71136612,"identity":"ca623e33-3d41-4e8f-a07a-f7dda2210d9e","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-12-11 13:18:14","extension":"jpg","order_by":3,"title":"Figure 3","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":75097,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eType III functional responses of \u003cem\u003eBlattisocius mali\u003c/em\u003e to the \u003cem\u003eTyrophagus putrescentiae\u003c/em\u003e eggs\u003cem\u003e \u003c/em\u003eat six temperatures and seven prey densities predicted from the models. Blue and red lines were drawn based on the models proposed by Hassell\u003csup\u003e14\u003c/sup\u003e and Cabello \u003cem\u003eet al.\u003c/em\u003e\u003csup\u003e22\u003c/sup\u003e, respectively\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"3.jpg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-5220460/v1/eae4b4a2ec6eb0f53e6b2060.jpg"},{"id":71136617,"identity":"9161552e-05a2-4788-a16e-401704599ac6","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-12-11 13:18:14","extension":"jpg","order_by":4,"title":"Figure 4","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":64973,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eType II\u003cstrong\u003e \u003c/strong\u003efunctional responses of \u003cem\u003eBlattisocius mali\u003c/em\u003e to the \u003cem\u003eTyrophagus putrescentiae\u003c/em\u003e males\u003cem\u003e \u003c/em\u003eat six temperatures and seven prey densities predicted from the model proposed by Roger\u003csup\u003e71\u003c/sup\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"4.jpg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-5220460/v1/7e2b852ba5bc5900cc20bd3d.jpg"},{"id":71140258,"identity":"875aef86-d15e-4954-8edb-016df7358dca","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-12-11 13:42:14","extension":"jpg","order_by":5,"title":"Figure 5","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":30826,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eThe handling time (T\u003csub\u003eh\u003c/sub\u003e) and maximum attack rate (T/T\u003csub\u003eh\u003c/sub\u003e) of \u003cem\u003eBlattisocius mali\u003c/em\u003e preying on \u003cem\u003eTyrophagus putrescentiae\u003c/em\u003e eggs at six temperatures and seven egg densities, resulting from the Hassell\u003csup\u003e14\u003c/sup\u003e model of Type III Functional Response. Different letters near the bars indicate significant differences between temperatures (\u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e\u0026lt;0.0001) based on 95% CI.\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"5.jpg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-5220460/v1/8b548b9bd16e75afcbc802ff.jpg"},{"id":71136614,"identity":"21661df6-e590-4f76-ac26-629e022c1399","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-12-11 13:18:14","extension":"jpg","order_by":6,"title":"Figure 6","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":25915,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eThe potential of mortality (α) and handling time (T\u003csub\u003eh\u003c/sub\u003e) of \u003cem\u003eBlattisocius mali\u003c/em\u003e preying on \u003cem\u003eTyrophagus putrescentiae\u003c/em\u003e eggs at six temperatures and seven egg densities, resulting from Cabello \u003cem\u003eet al.\u003c/em\u003e\u003csup\u003e22\u003c/sup\u003e model for Type III Functional response. Different letters near the bars indicate significant differences between temperatures (\u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e\u0026lt;0.05) based on 95% CI.\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"6.jpg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-5220460/v1/456d230e41b593405fd77d9f.jpg"},{"id":71138800,"identity":"808c76ad-cc8b-46c8-aead-d6cb59b1bcd7","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-12-11 13:34:14","extension":"jpg","order_by":7,"title":"Figure 7","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":37578,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eThe functional response ratio (α/T\u003csub\u003eh\u003c/sub\u003e) and the maximum attack rate (T/T\u003csub\u003eh\u003c/sub\u003e) of \u003cem\u003eBlattisocius mali\u003c/em\u003e preying on \u003cem\u003eTyrophagus putrescentiae\u003c/em\u003e eggs at six temperatures and seven egg densities, resulting from Cabello \u003cem\u003eet al.\u003c/em\u003e\u003csup\u003e22\u003c/sup\u003e model for Type III Functional response. Different letters above the columns indicate significant differences between temperatures (\u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e\u0026lt;0.0001) based on the Dunn test with Bonferroni corrections.\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"7.jpg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-5220460/v1/608f4406b524525b55c15c0a.jpg"},{"id":71137943,"identity":"f2f2286d-e585-4ccd-8045-9098b279505c","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-12-11 13:26:14","extension":"jpg","order_by":8,"title":"Figure 8","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":24735,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eThe attack rate and handling time of \u003cem\u003eBlattisocius mali\u003c/em\u003e preying on \u003cem\u003eTyrophagus putrescentiae\u003c/em\u003e males at six temperatures and seven male densities, resulting from Roger\u003csup\u003e71\u003c/sup\u003e model of Type II functional response. Different letters near the bars indicate significant differences between temperatures (\u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e\u0026lt;0.05) based on 95% CI.\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"8.jpg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-5220460/v1/a68cee5859cdb54b646356bc.jpg"},{"id":71136620,"identity":"57edd357-b945-4134-8eac-7e7127b47be4","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-12-11 13:18:14","extension":"jpg","order_by":9,"title":"Figure 9","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":35493,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eThe Functional Response Ratio (a/T\u003csub\u003eh\u003c/sub\u003e) and the maximum attack rate (T/T\u003csub\u003eh\u003c/sub\u003e) of \u003cem\u003eBlattisocius mali\u003c/em\u003e preying on \u003cem\u003eTyrophagus putrescentiae\u003c/em\u003e males at six temperatures and seven male densities, resulting from Roger\u003csup\u003e71\u003c/sup\u003e model of Type II functional response. Different letters above the columns indicate significant differences between temperatures (\u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e\u0026lt;0.0001) based on the Dunn test with Bonferroni corrections.\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"9.jpg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-5220460/v1/20f7e3df89a11fd7336ed853.jpg"},{"id":81987731,"identity":"bed555ab-0826-4cf8-b441-1d7290ef4772","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-05-05 16:05:22","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":1549279,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-5220460/v1/f126519d-d5ca-4811-a994-eac844aa0242.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"The effect of temperature on the functional response of Blattisocius mali (Acari: Blattisociidae) preying on the acarid mite Tyrophagus putrescentiae","fulltext":[{"header":"Introduction","content":"\u003cp\u003eOngoing climate change is projected to raise global temperatures by 2 to 8\u003csup\u003eo\u003c/sup\u003eC over the next century, with atmospheric CO\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e concentrations expected to reach 800 ppm\u003csup\u003e1\u003c/sup\u003e. This climate warming is leading to changes in precipitation patterns, which can directly impact soil temperature and moisture levels\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e. Temperature can impact the biology, population dynamics\u003csup\u003e3,4\u003c/sup\u003e, abundance, species diversity, and richness of soil mite communities\u003csup\u003e5\u003c/sup\u003e. It also influences the metabolic rate, feeding, locomotor, and searching activity of soil mites\u003csup\u003e6,7\u003c/sup\u003e. It is closely linked to ecosystem functions such as trophic interactions through the consumption and metabolism of the predator and prey\u003csup\u003e6,8,9\u003c/sup\u003e. It can affect predatory soil mites\u0026rsquo; functional response which is one of the important aspects of quantifying trophic interactions\u003csup\u003e10,11\u003c/sup\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe functional response is a critical component of the interaction between predator or parasitoid and prey or host, playing a key role in the dynamics of animal populations and ecological communities\u003csup\u003e11-18\u003c/sup\u003e. It illustrates how the number of prey captured by a predator or host parasitized by a parasitoid changes with the density of prey or host available in the environment. There are three basic types of functional response, Type I, II, and III, described by Holling\u003csup\u003e11\u003c/sup\u003e. Over the years, researchers have suggested various modifications to these basic types\u003csup\u003e16-18\u003c/sup\u003e. Type I shows a linear increase in consumption rate until it reaches a plateau; Type II demonstrates a hyperbolic approach to the maximum consumption rate as prey density rises; Type III involves an initial rise in consumption rate, followed by a decrease after reaching a turning point on a sigmoid curve. In insect and mite predators, Type II and III responses are most frequently reported\u003csup\u003e13,14,19\u003c/sup\u003e. Additionally, there is a Type IV functional response, the domed type, which indicates a decrease in predation efficiency at specific prey densities; this has also been noted in predatory mites\u003csup\u003e20,21\u003c/sup\u003e.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe effectiveness of a predator can be measured by looking at the functional response parameters, which include the predator\u0026rsquo;s attack rate, the handling time\u003csup\u003e14\u003c/sup\u003e, and the predator\u0026rsquo;s potential for prey mortality\u003csup\u003e22\u003c/sup\u003e. Predators with high attack rates and short handling times are expected to be the most effective for biological control\u003csup\u003e23-25\u003c/sup\u003e. Alternatively, if a predator is very efficient and causes significant prey mortality, it is likely to have a high potential for mortality to its prey. On the other hand, if a predator is not as efficient and does not cause much mortality, its potential for mortality will be lower\u003csup\u003e22\u003c/sup\u003e. The ecological impact of the predator can be assessed by the Functional Response Ratio (FRR) which is the attack rate or potential of prey mortality divided by the handling time\u003csup\u003e25,26\u003c/sup\u003e. This parameter is especially useful when handling time and attack rate give the opposite predictions. The higher the value of FRR, the higher the impact of the predator on the ecosystem and \u003cem\u003evice versa\u003c/em\u003e\u003csup\u003e26\u003c/sup\u003e. In invertebrate predators, the type and parameters of functional response can vary depending on host plant\u003csup\u003e27\u003c/sup\u003e, temperature\u003csup\u003e28,29\u003c/sup\u003e, humidity\u003csup\u003e25,30\u003c/sup\u003e, age of predator\u003csup\u003e31\u003c/sup\u003e, type of predator and prey\u003csup\u003e14,32,33\u003c/sup\u003e, and exposure to insecticides\u003csup\u003e34\u003c/sup\u003e.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePrevious studies show that temperature has the potential to alter the type of functional response in insect and mite predators. For instance, rising temperature shifted the type of functional response from Type II to Type III in the pentatomid bugs \u003cem\u003ePodisus maculiventris\u003c/em\u003e Say and \u003cem\u003eP. nigrispinus\u003c/em\u003e Dallas (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) preying on larvae of the beet armyworm \u003cem\u003eSpodoptera exigua\u003c/em\u003e H\u0026uuml;bner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)\u003csup\u003e29\u003c/sup\u003e, the mirid bug \u003cem\u003eNesidiocoris\u003c/em\u003e \u003cem\u003etenuis\u003c/em\u003e Reuter (Hemiptera: Miridae) feeding on pupae of the whitefly \u003cem\u003eBemisia tabaci\u003c/em\u003e Gennadius (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae)\u003csup\u003e35\u003c/sup\u003e, and the parasitoid wasp\u003cem\u003e\u0026nbsp;Trichogramma ostriniae\u003c/em\u003e Pang \u0026amp; Chen (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) parasitizing eggs of European maize borer \u003cem\u003eOstrinia nubilalis\u003c/em\u003e Hubner (Lepidoptera: Crambidae)\u003csup\u003e36\u003c/sup\u003e. On the contrary, the rising temperature changed the functional response type from Type III to Type II in the phytoseiid mite \u003cem\u003eAmblyseius swirskii\u003c/em\u003e Athias-Henriot (Acari: Phytoseiidae) foraging on eggs of the two spotted spider mite \u003cem\u003eTetranychus urticae\u003c/em\u003e Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae)\u003csup\u003e28\u003c/sup\u003e; the macrochelid mite \u003cem\u003eMacrocheles muscaedomesticae\u003c/em\u003e Scopoli (Acari: Macrochelidae) feeding on eggs of the house fly \u003cem\u003eMusca domestica\u003c/em\u003e L. (Diptera: Muscidae)\u003csup\u003e10\u003c/sup\u003e and earwigs \u003cem\u003eEuborellia\u003c/em\u003e \u003cem\u003eannulipes\u003c/em\u003e Lucas (Dermaptera: Anisolabididae) preying on larvae of the diamond back moth \u003cem\u003ePlutella xylostella\u003c/em\u003e L. (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae)\u003csup\u003e37\u003c/sup\u003e. On the other hand, the temperature change did not affect the type of functional response in the phytoseiid mite \u003cem\u003eNeoseiulus californicus\u003c/em\u003e McGregor (Acari: Phytoseiidae) feeding on eggs, larvae, nymphs, or adults of \u003cem\u003eT. urticae\u003c/em\u003e\u003csup\u003e38\u003c/sup\u003e and Asian ladybird beetle \u003cem\u003eHarmonia axyridis\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003ePallas\u003cem\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003e(Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) preying on nymphs\u003cem\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003eof the pea aphid \u003cem\u003eAcyrthosiphon pisum\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003eHarris (Hemiptera: Aphididae)\u003csup\u003e39\u003c/sup\u003e. This suggests that temperature has varying impacts on the predator-prey system, probably due to species-specific differences in the sensitivity of predator and prey to temperature and foraging behaviour\u003csup\u003e40,41\u003c/sup\u003e. As temperature may destabilize some predator-prey systems by either increasing predator activity or boosting prey mortality rates\u003csup\u003e37,42\u003c/sup\u003e, valuing the effect of temperature on species-specific responses of the predator-prey system can enable a better understanding of the impact of temperature on food webs.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBlattisociidae (Acari: Mesostigmata) is a family of predatory mites that inhabit a diverse array of habitats, including soil, mosses, grasses, and dead organic matter. They can also be found in association with fungi and various plant structures such as flowers, leaves, and tree bark, as well as within rodent and bird nests\u003csup\u003e4,43\u003c/sup\u003e. These mites are frequently linked to insects that facilitate their movement to fragmented habitats\u003csup\u003e43-45\u003c/sup\u003e. Among the Blattisociid mites, the genus \u003cem\u003eBlattisocius,\u003c/em\u003e including species such as\u0026nbsp;\u003cem\u003eBlattisocius dentriticus\u003c/em\u003e Berlese, \u003cem\u003eB. tarsalis\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003eBerlese, \u003cem\u003eB. everti\u003c/em\u003e Britto, Lopes and Moraes, \u003cem\u003eB. keegani\u003c/em\u003e Fox and \u003cem\u003eB. mali\u003c/em\u003e Oudemans,\u003cem\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003eis particularly well-studied.\u0026nbsp;Although they commonly inhabit edaphic environments, outside of soil, litter, or rotten plant material, they are often reported in storage facilities, where they prey on coleopteran and lepidopteran pests as well as acarid mite pests associated with stored products\u003csup\u003e43\u003c/sup\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe acarid mites can cause serious problems in stored products, mushroom farms, and horticultural crops\u003csup\u003e46-49\u003c/sup\u003e. Among them, the mould mite\u003cem\u003e\u0026nbsp;Tyrophagus putrescentiae\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003eSchrank\u0026nbsp;(Acari: Acaridae), which is an omnivorous acarid mite, common in-house dust, soil with rotting plant material, and vertebrate nests. The \u003cem\u003eT. putrescentiae\u003c/em\u003e is a pest of various stored food products and crop plants such as cucumber, gerbera, or bulbs of many ornamental plants\u003csup\u003e47,50\u003c/sup\u003e. It can develop in a wide range of temperatures, from 10\u0026deg;C to 34\u0026deg;C, and at an optimal temperature of 22\u0026deg;C and humidity of 85%, it can make one generation in only 4.41 days\u003csup\u003e51,52\u003c/sup\u003e. There are growing concerns about the environmental and health impacts of the extensive use of chemical pesticides to control \u003cem\u003eT. putrescentiae\u003c/em\u003e\u003csup\u003e53\u003c/sup\u003e. To address these issues, alternative methods with lower risks, such as biological control, are being explored\u003csup\u003e54\u003c/sup\u003e.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBlattisociid mites \u003cem\u003eB. dentriticus\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eB tarsalis\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eB. everti\u003c/em\u003e, and \u003cem\u003eB. keegani\u003c/em\u003e have been reported to have the potential to control mould mites\u003csup\u003e55-61\u003c/sup\u003e. Additionally, \u003cem\u003eB. mali\u003c/em\u003e has been reported as a potential biocontrol agent of insects, nematodes,\u003csup\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/sup\u003eand mites \u003csup\u003e62-66\u003c/sup\u003e. Notably, the life table parameters of \u003cem\u003eB. mali\u003c/em\u003e were much higher than those of \u003cem\u003eB. dentriticus,\u003c/em\u003e \u003cem\u003eB. keegani,\u003c/em\u003e or \u003cem\u003eGaeolaelaps aculeifer\u003c/em\u003e Raumilben (Acari: Laelapidae) while feeding on \u003cem\u003eT. putrescentiae\u003c/em\u003e, which makes this predator an especially promising biological control agent against \u003cem\u003eT. putrescentiae\u003c/em\u003e\u003csup\u003e67\u003c/sup\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis study aimed to examine the effect of varying temperature levels on the functional response of \u003cem\u003eB. mali\u003c/em\u003e preying on \u003cem\u003eT. putrescentiae\u003c/em\u003e. In the previous paper\u003csup\u003e25\u003c/sup\u003e, we demonstrated that a decrease in humidity level not only led to the decrease in \u003cem\u003eB. mali\u003c/em\u003e predation rate on the \u003cem\u003eT. putrescentiae\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003eeggs but also shifted its functional response from Type III to Type II on this prey. As the temperature has a considerable impact on blattisociid mite activity and development\u003csup\u003e4,68\u003c/sup\u003e, we hypothesized that this factor, similar to humidity, might significantly affect the interactions between \u003cem\u003eB. mali\u003c/em\u003e and its prey, and the functional response of this predator. Such a scenario has also been suggested by the study on\u003cem\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003ethe \u003cem\u003eM. muscaedomesticae\u003c/em\u003e\u003csup\u003e10\u003c/sup\u003e,\u003cem\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003ethe only soil mite in which\u003cem\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003ethe influence of temperature on the functional response has been studied\u003cem\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003eso far. The mite \u003cem\u003eM. muscaedomesticae\u003c/em\u003e was\u0026nbsp;tested using varying densities of eggs of \u003cem\u003eM. domesticae\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003eat two temperature levels, 27\u0026deg;C and 33\u0026deg;C. The findings indicated a transition in its functional response from Type III to Type II as temperature increased\u003csup\u003e10\u003c/sup\u003e.\u0026nbsp;In our current research, we tested \u003cem\u003eB. mali\u003c/em\u003e over a wide range of six temperature levels including extremes at 10\u0026deg;C\u0026nbsp;and 35\u0026deg;C where this mite could still develop\u003csup\u003e69\u003c/sup\u003e. We also used two prey stages, eggs or adult males of \u003cem\u003eT. putrescentiae\u003c/em\u003e to examine whether, and to which extent, the functional response of \u003cem\u003eB. mali\u003c/em\u003e might change in the presence of smaller immobile eggs as prey or much bigger and movable males as prey, at varying temperature levels. Furthermore, we have compared different models based on the fitness of our data to provide a better understanding and interpretation of the dynamics within the predator-prey system.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Results ","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe statistical analysis indicated a significant effect of both temperature (\u0026chi;\u003csup\u003e2\u0026nbsp;\u003c/sup\u003e=148.16; \u003cem\u003edf\u003c/em\u003e=5; \u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e\u0026lt;0.0001) and the density of \u003cem\u003eT. putrescentiae\u003c/em\u003e eggs (\u0026chi;\u003csup\u003e2\u0026nbsp;\u003c/sup\u003e=925.60; \u003cem\u003edf\u003c/em\u003e=6; \u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e\u0026lt;0.0001) offered on the mean number of eggs eaten by \u003cem\u003eB. mali\u003c/em\u003e. Moreover, there was a significant influence of both temperature (\u0026chi;\u003csup\u003e2\u0026nbsp;\u003c/sup\u003e=164.18; \u003cem\u003edf\u003c/em\u003e=5; \u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e\u0026lt;0.0001) and the density of \u003cem\u003eT. putrescentiae\u003c/em\u003e males (\u0026chi;\u003csup\u003e2\u0026nbsp;\u003c/sup\u003e=103.45; \u003cem\u003edf\u003c/em\u003e=6; \u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e\u0026lt;0.0001) offered on the mean number of males eaten by \u003cem\u003eB. mali\u003c/em\u003e. Furthermore, the interaction between temperature and density of prey eaten was found to be significant for both eggs (\u0026chi;\u003csup\u003e2\u0026nbsp;\u003c/sup\u003e=19.01; \u003cem\u003edf\u003c/em\u003e=30; \u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e\u0026lt;0.0001) and males (\u0026chi;2 =10.34; \u003cem\u003edf\u003c/em\u003e=30; \u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e\u0026lt;0.0001) as prey, indicating that the mean number of preys eaten by the predator depended not only on the temperature but also on the density of the prey offered. \u0026nbsp; When \u003cem\u003eT. putrescentiae\u003c/em\u003e eggs were offered as prey, the mean number of prey eaten by \u003cem\u003eB. mali\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003eincreased significantly with rising temperature across all tested prey densities except for 10 or 20 eggs (Figure 1a). On the contrary, the mean number of \u003cem\u003eT. putrescentiae\u003c/em\u003e males eaten by \u003cem\u003eB. mali\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003esignificantly decreased from 10\u003csup\u003eo\u003c/sup\u003eC to 15\u003csup\u003eo\u003c/sup\u003eC and then rose to 35\u003csup\u003eo\u003c/sup\u003eC in most prey densities (Figure 1b).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe estimates of the parameters of the Real\u003csup\u003e70\u003c/sup\u003e model showed that the value of the scaling component \u0026lsquo;q\u0026rsquo; and handling time T\u003csub\u003eh\u003c/sub\u003e were greater than zero for\u0026nbsp;\u003cem\u003eT. putrescentiae\u003c/em\u003e eggs as prey, indicating a Type III functional response at all tested temperatures (Table 1). On the other hand, the value of \u0026lsquo;q\u0026rsquo; for\u0026nbsp;\u003cem\u003eT. putrescentiae\u003c/em\u003e males as prey\u0026nbsp;was not significantly different from zero and T\u003csub\u003eh\u003c/sub\u003e was greater than zero across all tested temperatures, indicating a Type II response (Table 1).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe functional response curves showing the relationship between the number or proportion of prey eaten and prey density while using either eggs or males as prey are illustrated in Figure 2. The functional response curves were drawn and compared based on the models proposed by Hassell\u003csup\u003e14\u003c/sup\u003e and Cabello \u003cem\u003eet al.\u003c/em\u003e\u003csup\u003e22\u003c/sup\u003e across all tested temperatures when\u0026nbsp;\u003cem\u003eT. putrescentiae\u003c/em\u003e eggs were used as prey. The comparison revealed\u0026nbsp;parallel outcomes, indicating that the number of eggs eaten increased with increasing egg densities following a nearly sigmoidal shape (Figure 3). On the other hand, when\u0026nbsp;\u003cem\u003eT. putrescentiae\u003c/em\u003e males were the prey, the\u0026nbsp;curves were drawn based on the Roger\u003csup\u003e71\u003c/sup\u003e model for all tested temperatures, indicating that the number of males eaten increased with increasing male densities following a hyperbolic fashion (Figure 4).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBased on the Hassell\u003csup\u003e14\u003c/sup\u003e model of Type III functional response, \u003cem\u003eB. mali\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003eexhibited longer handling times at lower temperatures compared to higher temperatures when preying on\u0026nbsp;\u003cem\u003eT. putrescentiae\u003c/em\u003e eggs. However, at 10\u003csup\u003eo\u003c/sup\u003eC, the handling time was significantly shorter compared to 15\u003csup\u003eo\u003c/sup\u003eC while there were no significant differences in handling times at 25\u003csup\u003eo\u003c/sup\u003eC, 30\u003csup\u003eo\u003c/sup\u003eC, and 35\u003csup\u003eo\u003c/sup\u003eC (Figure 5). The maximum attack rate of \u003cem\u003eB. mali\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003ewas significantly influenced by warmer temperatures (\u0026chi;\u003csup\u003e2\u0026nbsp;\u003c/sup\u003e=43.16; \u003cem\u003edf\u003c/em\u003e=5; \u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e\u0026lt;0.0001). As the temperature rose, the maximum attack rate increased, peaking at 30\u0026deg;C and 35\u0026deg;C, where they remained statistically similar (\u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e\u0026gt;0.05) (Figure 5). The parameters estimated from the Cabello \u003cem\u003eet al.\u003c/em\u003e\u003csup\u003e22\u003c/sup\u003e model showed that \u003cem\u003eB. mali\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003eexhibited higher potential for prey mortality values and shorter handling times at higher temperatures when preying on\u0026nbsp;\u003cem\u003eT. putrescentiae\u003c/em\u003e eggs\u0026nbsp;as compared to lower temperatures (Figure 6). The values of potential for prey mortality were low and did not differ significantly at 10\u003csup\u003eo\u003c/sup\u003eC and 15\u003csup\u003eo\u003c/sup\u003eC (\u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e\u0026gt;0.05) while these values peaked but still did not show significant difference at 30\u003csup\u003eo\u003c/sup\u003eC and 35\u003csup\u003eo\u003c/sup\u003eC (\u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e\u0026gt;0.05). By contrast, the handling time was the longest at 10\u003csup\u003eo\u003c/sup\u003eC, decreased with increasing temperature up to 25\u003csup\u003eo\u003c/sup\u003eC, and then stabilized without further change up to 35\u003csup\u003eo\u003c/sup\u003eC (\u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e\u0026gt;0.05) (Figure 6).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWarming had a significant effect on both the FRRs (\u0026chi;\u003csup\u003e2\u0026nbsp;\u003c/sup\u003e=51.91; \u003cem\u003edf\u003c/em\u003e=5; \u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e\u0026lt;0.0001) and the maximum attack rates (\u0026chi;\u003csup\u003e2\u0026nbsp;\u003c/sup\u003e=33.28; \u003cem\u003edf\u003c/em\u003e=5; \u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e\u0026lt;0.0001) of the predator when exposed to \u003cem\u003eT. putrescentiae\u003c/em\u003e eggs. The FRR was the lowest at 10\u003csup\u003eo\u003c/sup\u003eC which did not vary significantly from that at 15\u003csup\u003eo\u003c/sup\u003eC. However, at higher temperatures, these values were significantly increased and achieved the highest at 35\u003csup\u003eo\u003c/sup\u003eC (Figure 7). Also, the maximum attack rates were found to be lower at 10\u003csup\u003eo\u003c/sup\u003eC and 15\u003csup\u003eo\u003c/sup\u003eC, showing no significant difference (\u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e\u0026gt;0.05). In contrast, the maximum attack rates were higher at 30\u003csup\u003eo\u003c/sup\u003eC and 35\u003csup\u003eo\u003c/sup\u003eC, which also did not differ significantly from each other (\u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e\u0026gt;0.05) (Figure 7).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBased on the Roger\u003csup\u003e71\u003c/sup\u003e model of Type II functional response, the attack rate of \u003cem\u003eB. mali\u003c/em\u003e was significantly higher at 35\u003csup\u003eo\u003c/sup\u003eC compared to other temperatures (\u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e\u0026lt;0.05) when preying on \u003cem\u003eT. putrescentiae\u003c/em\u003e males. The attack rates fluctuated between 10\u003csup\u003eo\u003c/sup\u003eC and 35\u003csup\u003eo\u003c/sup\u003eC; it was significantly lower at 15\u003csup\u003eo\u003c/sup\u003eC than at 10\u003csup\u003eo\u003c/sup\u003eC. However, it increased again at 20\u003csup\u003eo\u003c/sup\u003eC, slightly but significantly decreased at 25\u003csup\u003eo\u003c/sup\u003eC, and then increased once more at 30\u003csup\u003eo\u003c/sup\u003eC (\u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e\u0026lt;0.05) (Figure 8). The handling times were longer at 10\u003csup\u003eo\u003c/sup\u003eC and 15\u003csup\u003eo\u003c/sup\u003eC, with no significant difference between them. It decreased from 15\u003csup\u003eo\u003c/sup\u003eC to 25\u003csup\u003eo\u003c/sup\u003eC and then remained consistent up to 35\u003csup\u003eo\u003c/sup\u003eC (\u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e \u0026gt; 0.05) (Figure 8).\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTemperature significantly affected both the FRRs (\u0026chi;\u003csup\u003e2\u0026nbsp;\u003c/sup\u003e=51.91; \u003cem\u003edf\u003c/em\u003e=5; \u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e\u0026lt;0.0001) and the maximum attack rates of \u003cem\u003eB. mali\u003c/em\u003e when preying on \u003cem\u003eT. putrescentiae\u003c/em\u003e males (\u0026chi;\u003csup\u003e2\u0026nbsp;\u003c/sup\u003e=33.28; \u003cem\u003edf\u003c/em\u003e=5; \u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e\u0026lt;0.0001) (Figure 9). The FRRs were lower at 10\u003csup\u003eo\u003c/sup\u003eC and 15\u003csup\u003eo\u003c/sup\u003eC, with no significant difference between them (\u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e\u0026gt;0.05). However, the FRR showed an upward trend at elevated temperatures, reaching its peak at 35\u0026deg;C. Similarly, the maximum attack rates were lower at 10\u003csup\u003eo\u003c/sup\u003eC and 15\u003csup\u003eo\u003c/sup\u003eC, where these values did not differ significantly (\u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e\u0026gt;0.05). On the other hand, as temperatures rose, the maximum attack rate increased, peaking at 25\u0026deg;C; however, it declined at both 30\u0026deg;C and 35\u0026deg;C, with no significant variation between them (\u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e\u0026gt; 0.05) (Figure 9).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTable 1.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003eEstimates of various parameters of the Real\u003csup\u003e70\u003c/sup\u003e model, a (attack rate), q (scaling component), and T\u003csub\u003eh\u003c/sub\u003e (handling time), for the proportion of \u003cem\u003eTyrophagus putrescentiae\u003c/em\u003e eggs or males eaten by \u003cem\u003eBlattisocius mali\u003c/em\u003e relative to the initial number of eggs or males provided at different temperatures over a 24 hrs period.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"1\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" width=\"100%\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature (\u003c/strong\u003e\u003csup\u003eo\u003c/sup\u003eC)\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 12px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePrey type\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eParameters\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEstimates\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStandard Errors\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003ePr\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;(z) values\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"6\" style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e10\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"3\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 12px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eEgg\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ea\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e8.8269\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2.50950\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.0004\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eq\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.5868\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.11521\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;0.0001\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eT\u003csub\u003eh\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.0014\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.00545\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.0184\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"3\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 12px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMale\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ea\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.9644\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.54479\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.0166\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eq\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.0921\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.07088\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.3895\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eT\u003csub\u003eh\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.8846\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.12114\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;0.0001\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"6\" style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e15\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"3\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 12px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eEgg\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ea\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.2274\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.47540\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.0098\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eq\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.6203\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.11532\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;0.0001\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eT\u003csub\u003eh\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.0164\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.00023\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;0.0001\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"3\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 12px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMale\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ea\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.3645\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.20633\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.0172\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eq\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.0768\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.89782\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.9317\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eT\u003csub\u003eh\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.3799\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.51032\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.0149\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"6\" style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e20\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"3\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 12px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eEgg\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ea\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.8147\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.24739\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.0009\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eq\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.7000\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.08172\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;0.0001\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eT\u003csub\u003eh\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.0112\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.00013\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;0.0001\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"3\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 12px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMale\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ea\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.4930\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.49234\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.0024\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eq\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.2731\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.48173\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.5706\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eT\u003csub\u003eh\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.3136\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.05175\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;0.0001\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"6\" style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e25\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"3\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 12px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eEgg\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ea\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e8.8764\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.00035\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;0.0001\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eq\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.0832\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.01181\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;0.0001\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eT\u003csub\u003eh\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.0081\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.00019\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;0.0001\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"3\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 12px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMale\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ea\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.5172\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.29906\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;0.0001\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eq\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.4295\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.37430\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.2511\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eT\u003csub\u003eh\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.3208\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.16791\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.0069\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"6\" style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e30\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"3\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 12px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eEgg\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ea\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4.5102\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.00076\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;0.0001\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eq\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.2287\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.01391\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;0.0001\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eT\u003csub\u003eh\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.0088\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.00012\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;0.0001\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"3\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 12px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMale\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ea\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.8191\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.36637\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.0023\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eq\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.2191\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.01921\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.4535\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eT\u003csub\u003eh\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.2417\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.38721\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.0018\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"6\" style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e35\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"3\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 12px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eEgg\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ea\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4.5102\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.00076\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;0.0001\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eq\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.2287\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.01391\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;0.0001\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eT\u003csub\u003eh\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.0088\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.00012\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;0.0001\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"3\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 12px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMale\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ea\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4.4565\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.78402\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.0124\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eq\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.2414\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.43564\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.5794\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eT\u003csub\u003eh\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.1844\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.01708\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;0.0001\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e"},{"header":"Discussion","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe present study demonstrated that the functional response of \u003cem\u003eB. mali\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003edid not change with changing thermal conditions ranging between 10\u003csup\u003eo\u003c/sup\u003eC and 35\u003csup\u003eo\u003c/sup\u003eC but varied with changing the prey stage, from eggs to adult males of \u003cem\u003eT. putrescentiae\u003c/em\u003e. The temperature ranges we tested are relevant across temperate or sub-tropical regions. Across all tested temperatures and prey densities, the predatory females exhibited Type III functional responses when \u003cem\u003eT. putrescentiae\u003c/em\u003e eggs were used as prey and Type II responses when \u003cem\u003eT. putrescentiae\u003c/em\u003e males were the prey. In addition, the handling times were shorter at 25\u003csup\u003eo\u003c/sup\u003eC, 30\u003csup\u003eo\u003c/sup\u003eC, and 35\u003csup\u003eo\u003c/sup\u003eC compared to lower temperatures, regardless of whether the preys were either eggs or males. The potential for prey mortality and the maximum attack rate, estimated for eggs as prey, were the lowest at 10\u003csup\u003eo\u003c/sup\u003eC and 15\u003csup\u003eo\u003c/sup\u003eC but peaked at 30\u003csup\u003eo\u003c/sup\u003eC and 35\u003csup\u003eo\u003c/sup\u003eC. By contrast, the attack rate of the predator exposed to \u003cem\u003eT. putrescentiae\u003c/em\u003e males showed fluctuation from 10\u003csup\u003eo\u003c/sup\u003eC to 25\u003csup\u003eo\u003c/sup\u003eC, with the highest rate occurring at 35\u003csup\u003eo\u003c/sup\u003eC. The maximum attack rate was the lowest at 10\u003csup\u003eo\u003c/sup\u003eC and 15\u003csup\u003eo\u003c/sup\u003eC, peaked at 25\u003csup\u003eo\u003c/sup\u003eC, then slightly decreased at 30\u003csup\u003eo\u003c/sup\u003eC and 35\u003csup\u003eo\u003c/sup\u003eC. For both prey types, the FRRs increased with rising temperatures, recorded as the lowest at 10\u003csup\u003eo\u003c/sup\u003eC and 15\u003csup\u003eo\u003c/sup\u003eC and the highest at 35\u003csup\u003eo\u003c/sup\u003eC.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;In predatory insects and mites, the developmental stage of prey can influence the type of functional response\u003csup\u003e33,38,72\u003c/sup\u003e. Such a phenomenon has been also observed in this study. \u0026nbsp;The females of \u003cem\u003eB. mali\u003c/em\u003e exhibited Type III functional response when preying on \u003cem\u003eT. putrescentiae\u003c/em\u003e eggs while Type II response when \u003cem\u003eT. putrescentiae\u003c/em\u003e males were offered as prey. Also, when tested across varying humidity levels\u003csup\u003e25\u003c/sup\u003e, \u003cem\u003eB. mali\u003c/em\u003e females initially followed a Type III response when preying on \u003cem\u003eT. putrescentiae\u003c/em\u003e eggs; however, when the humidity dropped to a critical level of 33%, they transitioned to a Type II response. This raises an important question about the underlying mechanisms driving shifts in functional response types. In Type III functional response, the proportion of prey eaten initially increases, and generally, this type of functional response is expected when resources or environmental conditions are suboptimal\u003csup\u003e18,73,74\u003c/sup\u003e. As suggested by Hassell\u003csup\u003e14\u003c/sup\u003e, at low prey densities, there may be insufficient \u0026lsquo;reward rate\u0026rdquo; for a predator to continue the constant prey searching activity. Factors like the necessity of learning to capture prey, the small size of the prey, effective defense mechanisms, or the availability of inaccessible refuges can all hinder predation efforts\u003csup\u003e18,73,74,75,76\u003c/sup\u003e. \u0026nbsp;According to a study on life table parameters\u003csup\u003e67\u003c/sup\u003e, the eggs of the \u003cem\u003eT. putrescentiae\u003c/em\u003e were less profitable prey for \u003cem\u003eB. mali\u003c/em\u003e than larvae. It suggests that, unlike other prey stages, the eggs of \u003cem\u003eT. putrescentiae\u003c/em\u003e may be a suboptimal prey type for \u003cem\u003eB. mali\u003c/em\u003e females, leading to a Type III functional response. The eggs are too small to satisfy hunger immediately, and are immobile, making them difficult for predators to detect, especially at low densities. However, the situation may change under worsening environmental conditions such as a drop in humidity. \u0026nbsp;Low humidity may lead to substantial water loss in mites, including predatory soil mites. At 33% humidity, \u003cem\u003eB. mali\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003efemales\u003cem\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003esignificantly decreased predation rate, most presumably to conserve energy\u003csup\u003e25\u003c/sup\u003e. Nonetheless, they also shifted to Type II functional response, indicating that their efforts in searching for prey remained low regardless of whether the egg densities were high or low.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSimilar to humidity, temperature also affects the functional response of insect and mite predators\u003csup\u003e10,28,29,35,36\u003c/sup\u003e. At suboptimal temperatures, the cost associated with searching for food may exceed foraging rewards due to longer handling times. Additionally, rising temperatures might lead to the shift from Type II to Type III functional response or \u003cem\u003evice versa\u003c/em\u003e\u003csup\u003e18,77,78\u003c/sup\u003e. Contrary to our initial hypotheses, \u003cem\u003eB. mali\u003c/em\u003e females did not change the functional responses when preying on either\u0026nbsp;\u003cem\u003eT. putrescentiae\u003c/em\u003e eggs or males across the tested temperatures, including extremes of 10\u003csup\u003eo\u003c/sup\u003eC and 35\u003csup\u003eo\u003c/sup\u003eC. However, this does not mean that a shift in functional response will not occur in this predator if only the range of tested temperatures is widened even further from the optimal values. It should be emphasized that \u003cem\u003eB. mali\u003c/em\u003e was tested under conditions of optimal humidity of\u0026nbsp;85\u0026plusmn;5%.\u0026nbsp;In another study involving a soil mite, \u003cem\u003eM. muscadomesticae\u003c/em\u003e that was preying on eggs of \u003cem\u003eM. domesticae\u003c/em\u003e, the shift from Type III to Type II functional response was noted at 33\u003csup\u003eo\u003c/sup\u003eC\u003csup\u003e10\u003c/sup\u003e. However, the mite was deprived of food before the experiment and tested at a much lower humidity level of 65.5%. This combination of high temperature and reduced humidity might have affected both the searching rate and functional response of this predator.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStudying functional responses not only enhances our understanding of how predator-prey interactions can fluctuate at the population level but also sheds light on the factors that may disrupt the stability of these systems\u003csup\u003e18,73,77,78,79\u003c/sup\u003e.\u0026nbsp;Type II and Type III functional responses show distinct differences in terms of the stability of the predator-prey system. Type II response is characterized by a gradual decrease in the proportion of prey killed, indicating inverse density dependence. By contrast, Type III responses exhibit positive density dependence up to a certain threshold prey density, which may help in stabilizing the system when the average prey densities fall below this threshold\u003csup\u003e18,73,80\u003c/sup\u003e. The recent studies by Daugaard \u003cem\u003eet al.\u003c/em\u003e\u003csup\u003e78\u003c/sup\u003e on the effect of warming on the functional response of the ciliate predator, \u003cem\u003eSpathidium\u003c/em\u003e sp. and its prey \u003cem\u003eDexiostoma campylum\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003e(Stokes) Jankowski (Hymenostomatida: Tetrahymenidae), have confirmed that shifts from Type III to Type II responses may destabilize the predator-prey system. Simulation studies on population dynamics indicated that shifting to a Type II response resulted in increased prey consumption at low densities, ultimately leading to extinction in nearly all scenarios. Our findings suggest that\u0026nbsp;\u003cem\u003eT. putrescentiae\u003c/em\u003e eggs which constitute nearly 50% of a prey population\u003csup\u003e81\u003c/sup\u003e, may play an important role in stabilizing the \u003cem\u003eB. mali\u003c/em\u003e-acarid mite system. However, to verify this hypothesis, younger and smaller developmental stages of prey such as acarid mite eggs should be used in the tests on the functional response of \u003cem\u003eB. mali\u003c/em\u003e.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe phenomenon of warming has been shown to accelerate the metabolic rate, feeding rate, and energy gain requirements\u003csup\u003e6,82\u003c/sup\u003e, which the predators may meet by consuming more prey, possibly explaining our results of increased predation observed under warming.\u0026nbsp;\u003cem\u003eTyrophagus putrescentiae\u003c/em\u003e performed well within a wide range of temperatures from 20\u0026deg;C to 32.5\u0026deg;C\u003csup\u003e83\u003c/sup\u003e,\u0026nbsp;promoting prey population growth and increasing prey availability\u0026nbsp;which coincides with the higher predation by the predator. The increased predation under warming has been observed for the predatory mites \u003cem\u003eM. muscaedomesticae\u003c/em\u003e preying on the immatures of \u003cem\u003eM. domestica\u003c/em\u003e\u003csup\u003e84\u003c/sup\u003e; \u003cem\u003eA. swirskii\u003c/em\u003e preying on eggs of \u003cem\u003eT. urticae\u003c/em\u003e\u003csup\u003e28\u003c/sup\u003e; \u003cem\u003eNeoseiulus barkeri\u003c/em\u003e Hughes (Acari: Phytoseiidae) preying on nymphal stages of \u003cem\u003eT. urticae\u003c/em\u003e\u003csup\u003e85\u003c/sup\u003e; \u003cem\u003eAmblyseius longispinosus\u003c/em\u003e Evans (Acari: Phytoseiidae) preying on active life stages of the bamboo spider mite \u003cem\u003eAponychus corpuzae\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003eRimando (Acari: Tetranychidae)\u003csup\u003e86\u003c/sup\u003e,\u0026nbsp;indicating the widespread nature of this phenomenon.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe magnitude of functional response can be described by the predator\u0026rsquo;s attack rate, handling time, and maximum attack rate\u003csup\u003e14\u003c/sup\u003e. In this study, we also used the potential of prey mortality (\u0026alpha;), a parameter of the expression for the Hassell\u003csup\u003e14\u003c/sup\u003e Type III functional response model developed by Cabello \u003cem\u003eet al.\u003c/em\u003e\u003csup\u003e22\u003c/sup\u003e. In alignment with our previous study\u003csup\u003e25\u003c/sup\u003e, this model fitted well with our data on the functional response of \u003cem\u003eB. mali\u003c/em\u003e when preying on \u003cem\u003eT. putrescentiae\u003c/em\u003e eggs. Also, \u0026alpha;, which corresponds to the potential of prey mortality in a Type III response turned out to be an useful parameter in the interpretation of the effectiveness of \u003cem\u003eB. mali\u003c/em\u003e exhibiting Type III functional response. In our study, handling time was lower while the attack rate and potential of mortality was higher at higher temperatures which might be associated with the higher moving activity, metabolic rate, energy demands, and food intake by the predator \u003cem\u003eB. mali\u003c/em\u003e\u003csup\u003e6,7\u003c/sup\u003e\u003cem\u003e.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003eInterestingly, the effectiveness of the predator varied significantly at lower temperatures, specifically between 10\u0026deg;C and 20\u0026deg;C, depending on the type of prey. For eggs as prey, the potential for prey mortality increased steadily with rising temperatures. In contrast, when preying on \u003cem\u003eT. putrescentiae\u003c/em\u003e males, the instantaneous attack rate initially showed a slight increase before declining, exhibiting fluctuations until 25\u0026deg;C, after which a marked increase was observed as temperatures rose to 35\u0026deg;C. \u0026nbsp;It must be stressed that the effectiveness of the predator against mobile prey not only depends on its ability to attack and subdue a prey but also on the behaviour and defensive ability of the prey. The temperature might have differently influenced the physiology and behaviour of \u003cem\u003eB. mali\u003c/em\u003e females and \u003cem\u003eT. putrescentiae\u003c/em\u003e males as well as the outcomes of their interactions. When endangered, \u003cem\u003eT. putrescentiae\u003c/em\u003e emits alarm pheromones and attempts to escape\u003csup\u003e87\u003c/sup\u003e, However, the extent to which temperature impacts pheromone production and the prey\u0026apos;s behavior, especially in relation to varying prey densities, remains unclear. \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn our study, we found that an elevated instantaneous attack rate or increased potential for prey mortality at a given temperature did not always result in a simultaneous reduction in handling time or an increase in the maximum attack rate, making it difficult to interpret the actual impact of the predator on the \u003cem\u003eT. putrescentiae\u003c/em\u003e. To address this issue, we also calculated the Functional Response Ratio proposed by Cuthbert \u003cem\u003eet al.\u003c/em\u003e\u003csup\u003e26\u003c/sup\u003e, for both the attack rate and potential of mortality. This parameter clearly showed that the impact of \u003cem\u003eB. mali\u003c/em\u003e on both the eggs and males of \u003cem\u003eT.\u003c/em\u003e \u003cem\u003eputrescentiae\u003c/em\u003e intensified with rising temperatures, peaking at 35\u0026deg;C. \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur findings suggest a high potential for the predatory mite \u003cem\u003eB. mali\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003eto reduce the population of \u003cem\u003eT. putrescentiae\u003c/em\u003e at higher temperatures. We determined a strong impact of temperature on predator\u0026rsquo;s efficiency as predator action accelerated under warming and increased prey consumption. The functional response type did not change with increasing temperatures, however, it changed with changing the prey type. Although the findings provide valuable insights into the potential effectiveness of \u003cem\u003eB. mali\u003c/em\u003e against\u0026nbsp;\u003cem\u003eT. putrescentiae\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003eat varying temperatures and prey types, the scope of the study may limit its applicability to real-world scenarios. It must be stressed that under natural conditions, this predator inhabits various substrates, such as soil, litter, and decaying plant material, in which not only temperature but also humidity can affect predator and prey interaction in various ways. Moreover, substrates can vary in complexity, creating various opportunities for prey to hide and avoid predation\u003csup\u003e75\u003c/sup\u003e. Thus, further studies should explore the common effects of different levels of humidity and temperature as well as the role of habitat structure and prey behaviour on the functional response of \u003cem\u003eB. mali\u003c/em\u003e and the stability of the predator-prey system.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Methods","content":"\u003cp\u003eMite culture\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe primary culture\u003cem\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003eof \u003cem\u003eT\u003c/em\u003e\u003cem\u003e.\u003c/em\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u0026nbsp;putrescentiae\u003c/em\u003e reared on instant dry bakers\u0026rsquo; yeast and wheat bran in equal parts by weight, was obtained from the mass rearing of the Department of Plant Protection, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Warsaw, Poland\u003csup\u003e25\u003c/sup\u003e. Adults of \u003cem\u003eT. putrescentiae\u003c/em\u003e were carefully selected and reared in glass Petri dishes measuring 90mm in diameter, with a mixture of yeast and wheat bran in the same 50/50 ratio, to obtain 24-hour eggs according to the methodology of Pirayeshfar \u003cem\u003eet al.\u003c/em\u003e\u003csup\u003e88\u003c/sup\u003e and modified by Jena \u003cem\u003eet al.\u003c/em\u003e\u003csup\u003e25\u003c/sup\u003e. The colonies were kept in darkness at 26\u0026deg;C and 95\u0026plusmn;5% in a Sanyo Environmental Test Chamber (Panasonic MLR-350).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe stock population of \u003cem\u003eB. mali\u003c/em\u003e was obtained from mass-rearing of the predator, which was maintained within wheat bran and fed on different stages of \u003cem\u003eT. putrescentiae\u003c/em\u003e in the climatic room of the Department of Plant Protection at Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Warsaw, Poland. The rearing unit consisted of foam platforms, drenched in water and covered with foil within larger containers as described by Michalska \u003cem\u003eet al.\u003c/em\u003e\u003csup\u003e45,65,66\u003c/sup\u003e. The cultures of \u003cem\u003eB. mali\u003c/em\u003e were maintained in the Panasonic Environmental Test Chamber (MLR-352-PE), at a temperature of 23\u0026deg;C, with a photoperiod of 16 hours of light and 8 hours of darkness and a relative humidity of 85\u0026plusmn;5%.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFunctional Response Experiment\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe experimental setup included a Plexi-glass cage with a circular hole of 8mm diameter, a piece of filter paper affixed to the bottom of the cell, and a glass coverslip of 18mm \u0026times; 18mm attached to the top of the cell using paraffin wax\u003csup\u003e25\u003c/sup\u003e. The female cohorts were prepared following the methodology described by Jena \u003cem\u003eet al.\u003c/em\u003e\u003csup\u003e25\u003c/sup\u003e. The colony was fed with the mixed life stages of \u003cem\u003eT. putrescentiae\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003ereared on yeast 24hrs before choosing the female predators. Female predators were exposed to varying densities, 10, 20, 40, 60, 80, 120, or 160 of either eggs or males of \u003cem\u003eT. putrescentiae\u003c/em\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003eat various temperatures ranging between 10\u0026deg;C and 35\u0026deg;C, with a relative humidity of 85\u0026plusmn;5% RH and a photoperiod of 16:8h in an incubator (MIR-154-PE) for 24 hrs. The separation of \u003cem\u003eT. putrescentiae\u003c/em\u003e eggs from other life stages was achieved by sieving the rearing colonies through a 100\u0026micro;m mesh screen and transferring eggs to the cell of the cage using a fine paintbrush\u003csup\u003e25\u003c/sup\u003e. The selection of \u003cem\u003eT. putrescentiae\u003c/em\u003e males was done manually from the mixed population and placed in the cages with care to avoid any harm. Wet filter paper was initially placed around the hole to prevent the males from escaping, which was then replaced with a cover slip once the desired densities were achieved. After the 24-hour exposure period, the predators were removed, and the consumption of eggs or males was noted, excluding any that remained. Cages where a live predator was not recovered due to loss or death were excluded from the analysis. Each egg density was replicated twenty times at each temperature, while each male density was replicated fifteen times at each temperature.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo examine the impact of temperature and prey density on the consumption of \u003cem\u003eT. putrescentiae\u003c/em\u003e eggs or males by \u003cem\u003eB. mali\u003c/em\u003e, we applied Generalized Linear Models (GLM) with a Poisson probability distribution. To further analyze the results, Tukey\u0026apos;s linear contrast was employed as a post hoc test.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe analysis of the functional response data was conducted in two phases. Initially, we focused on identifying the specific type of functional response followed by an estimation of the parameters associated with the functional response. The functional response type was identified by applying the generalized functional response equation developed by Real\u003csup\u003e70\u003c/sup\u003e. The modified Holling disc equation, as proposed by Real\u003csup\u003e70\u003c/sup\u003e (equation 1), was as follows\u003csup\u003e89\u003c/sup\u003e:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"data:image/png;base64,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\" width=\"461\" height=\"39\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhere N\u003csub\u003ea\u003c/sub\u003e is the number of prey eaten, N\u003csub\u003e0\u003c/sub\u003e is the initial number of prey densities provided, a is the predator\u0026apos;s instantaneous attack rate or searching efficiency, T\u003csub\u003eh\u003c/sub\u003e is the handling time, T is the time length of the assay, and q is the scaling component that determines the shape of the curve. The functional response curve can be of different types: Type I, which is a linear relationship (q = 0 and T\u003csub\u003eh\u003c/sub\u003e = 0), Type II, characterized by a hyperbolic curve (q = 0, T\u003csub\u003eh\u003c/sub\u003e \u0026gt; 0), and Type III, displaying a sigmoid curve (q \u0026gt; 0, T\u003csub\u003eh\u003c/sub\u003e \u0026gt; 0).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter identifying the adequate shape of the functional response, the functional response parameters, i.e., instantaneous attack rate (a), handling time (T\u003csub\u003eh\u003c/sub\u003e), and the potential for prey mortality (\u0026alpha;), were determined by fitting them to appropriate models. The data was then fitted to equations proposed by Roger\u003csup\u003e71\u003c/sup\u003e (equation 2), Hassell\u003csup\u003e14\u003c/sup\u003e (equations 3), and Cabello \u003cem\u003eet al.\u003c/em\u003e\u003csup\u003e22\u003c/sup\u003e (equation 4), using non-linear least squares regression, as the prey that was depleted during the experiment was not replenished:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"data:image/png;base64,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\" width=\"562\" height=\"118\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhere\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003eN\u003csub\u003ea\u003c/sub\u003e is the number of prey eaten, N\u003csub\u003e0\u003c/sub\u003e is the initial number of prey density offered, a is the predator\u0026rsquo;s instantaneous attack rate, T\u003csub\u003eh\u003c/sub\u003e is the handling time, P is the number of predators used, T is the time length of the assay, \u0026alpha; is the potential of mortality of the predator, and b and c are the constants that relate a and N\u003csub\u003e0\u003c/sub\u003e in Type III functional response as \u003cimg src=\"data:image/png;base64,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\" height=\"34\" width=\"64\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;. In our experiment, P=1 and T= 1 day. \u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe determined the values of parameters a, T\u003csub\u003eh\u003c/sub\u003e, and \u0026alpha; at all tested temperatures using a non-linear least square regression approach. The confidence intervals (\u0026plusmn;95% CI) were calculated for these parameters, with significant differences between means indicated by non-overlapping intervals (P \u0026lt; 0.05). To calculate the Confidence Intervals (CI), we employed the permutation test method as described by Ernst\u003csup\u003e90\u003c/sup\u003e. Additionally, we analyzed the proportion of prey eaten by the predator at varying densities using Generalized Linear Models (GLM) with a gamma probability distribution. Further, to compare and analyze the functional response parameters a, \u0026alpha;, and T\u003csub\u003eh\u003c/sub\u003e at six temperatures for both eggs and males as prey, the functional response ratio (FRR) was estimated by using either the attack rate (a) or potential of prey mortality (\u0026alpha;) divided by the handling time (T\u003csub\u003eh\u003c/sub\u003e)\u003csup\u003e25,26\u003c/sup\u003e. Furthermore, the maximum attack rate of the predator was determined by dividing the duration of assay (T) by the handling time (T\u003csub\u003eh\u003c/sub\u003e). To assess whether FRRs and predation rates varied across tested temperatures, one-way Kruskal-Wallis\u0026rsquo;s rank sum tests were conducted. Post hoc comparisons were made using the Dunn test with Bonferroni corrections\u003csup\u003e25\u003c/sup\u003e. All statistical analyses were conducted using R version 4.3.0 (The R Foundation for Statistical Computing, Vienna, Austria)\u003csup\u003e91\u003c/sup\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAcknowledgments\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe publication was financed by the Science Development Fund of the Warsaw University of Life Sciences \u0026ndash; SGGW.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAuthor contributions\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe authors\u0026rsquo; names are given in alphabetical order.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eConceptualization, M.K.J., K.M., and M.S.; Designing the methodology, M.K.J., K.M., and M.S.; Investigation, M.K.J., K.M., and M.S.; software, M.S.; validation, formal analysis, resources, data curation, writing\u0026mdash;original draft preparation, writing\u0026mdash; review and editing, visualization, funding acquisition, M.K.J., K.M., and M.S.; supervision, project administration, K.M. All authors have read and approved the manuscript.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFunding statement\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe research did not receive any external grants\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eData Availability Statement\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe data used in this study are available by email request to the corresponding author.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompeting interests\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo competing interests exist\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIPCC. Climate change 2013: the physical science basis. In: Stocker, T. F., Qin, D., Plattner, G. K., Tignor, M. M., Allen, S., Boschung, J., Nauels, A., Xia, Y., Bex, V., Midgley, P. (Eds.), Contribution of Working Group I to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge (2013).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003evan Straalen, N. M. Adaptive significance of temperature responses in Collembola. \u003cem\u003eActa Zool. Fennica\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e195\u003c/strong\u003e, 135\u0026ndash;142 (1994).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGobbi, P. C. \u003cem\u003eet al.\u003c/em\u003e Effects of thermal shock on the survival and reproduction of \u003cem\u003eStratiolaelaps scimitus\u003c/em\u003e (Mesostigmata: Laelapidae). \u003cem\u003eExp. Appl. Acarol.\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e82\u003c/strong\u003e(4), 493-501 (2020).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eZhang, N., Smith, C. L., Yin, Z., Yan, Y. \u0026amp; Xie, L. Effects of temperature on the adults and progeny of the predaceous mite \u003cem\u003eLasioseius\u003c/em\u003e \u003cem\u003ejaponicus\u003c/em\u003e (Acari: Blattisociidae) fed on the cereal mite \u003cem\u003eTyrophagus putrescentiae\u003c/em\u003e (Acari: Acaridae). \u003cem\u003eExp. Appl. Acarol. \u003c/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e86\u003c/strong\u003e(4), 499-515 (2022).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKamczyc, J., Dyderski, M. K., Horodecki, P. \u0026amp; Jagodziński, A. M. Temperature and precipitation affect seasonal changes in mite communities (Acari: Mesostigmata) in decomposing litter of broadleaved and coniferous temperate tree species. \u003cem\u003eAnn. For. Sci.\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e79\u003c/strong\u003e(1), 12 (2022).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRamachandran, D., Lindo, Z. \u0026amp; Meehan, M. L. Feeding rate and efficiency in an apex soil predator exposed to short-term temperature changes. \u003cem\u003eBasic Appl. Ecol.\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e50\u003c/strong\u003e, 87-96 (2021).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMoshkin, V. S. \u0026amp; Brygadyrenko, V. V. Influence of air temperature and humidity on \u003cem\u003eStratiolaelaps scimitus\u003c/em\u003e (Acari, Mesostigmata) locomotor activity in a laboratory experiment. \u003cem\u003eBiosyst. Divers.\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e30\u003c/strong\u003e(2), 191-197 (2022).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAvdonin, V. V. \u0026amp; Striganova, B. R. Temperature as a factor of niche separation in free-living mesostigmatid mites (Mesostigmata: Arachnida, Parasitiformes) of storm detritus. \u003cem\u003eBiol. Bull. Russ. Acad. Sci.\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e31\u003c/strong\u003e, 488-495 (2004).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLang, B., Rall, B. C., Scheu, S. \u0026amp; Brose, U. Effects of environmental warming and drought on size‐structured soil food webs. \u003cem\u003eOikos\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e123\u003c/strong\u003e(10), 1224-1233 (2014).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eShiralizadeh, R., Esfandiari, M., Shishehbor, P. \u0026amp; Farahi, S. Effect of temperature on the functional response of the predatory mite \u003cem\u003eMacrocheles\u003c/em\u003e \u003cem\u003emuscaedomesticae\u003c/em\u003e (Acari: Macrochelidae) by feeding on eggs of the house fly, \u003cem\u003eMusca domestica\u003c/em\u003e (Diptera: Muscidae). \u003cem\u003ePlant Prot. (Sci. J. Agric.)\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003e44\u003c/strong\u003e(2), 19-31 (2021).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHolling, C. S. Some characteristics of simple types of predation and parasitism. \u003cem\u003eCan. Entomol.\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e91\u003c/strong\u003e, 385\u0026ndash;398 (1959).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSolomon, M. E. The Natural Control of Animal Populations. \u003cem\u003eJ. Anim. Ecol.\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e18\u003c/strong\u003e, 1 (1949).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHolling, C. S. The components of predation as revealed by a study of small-mammal predation of the European pine sawfly. \u003cem\u003eCan. Entomol.\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e91\u003c/strong\u003e, 293\u0026ndash;320 (1959).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHassell, M. P. Functional Responses. In \u003cem\u003eThe Dynamics of Arthropod Predator-Prey Systems\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e13\u003c/strong\u003e, 28\u0026ndash;49 (Princeton University Press, 1978).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKrebs, Ch. J. Some historical thoughts on the functional responses of predators to prey density. \u003cem\u003eFront. Ecol. Evol.\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e10\u003c/strong\u003e, 1052289 (2022).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eJeschke, J. M., Kopp, M. \u0026amp; Tollrian, R. Predator functional responses: discriminating between handling and digesting prey. \u003cem\u003eEcol. Monogr.\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e72\u003c/strong\u003e(1), 95-112 (2002).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eJeschke, J. M., Kopp, M. \u0026amp; Tollrian, R. Consumer-food systems: why type I functional responses are exclusive to filter feeders. \u003cem\u003eBiol. Rev.\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e79\u003c/strong\u003e(2), 337-349 (2004).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKalinkat, G., Rall, B. C., Uiterwaal, S. F. \u0026amp; Uszko, W. Empirical evidence of type III functional responses and why it remains rare. \u003cem\u003eFront. Ecol. Evol.\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e11\u003c/strong\u003e, 1033818 (2023).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHolling, C. S. Principles of insect predation. \u003cem\u003eAnn. Rev. Entomol.\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e6\u003c/strong\u003e, 163-182 (1961).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMori, H. \u0026amp; Chant, D. A. The influence of prey density, relative humidity, and starvation on the predacious behaviour of \u003cem\u003ephytoseiulus persimilis\u003c/em\u003e Athias-Henriot (acarina: phytoseiidae). \u003cem\u003eCan. J. Zool.\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e44\u003c/strong\u003e, 483\u0026ndash;491 (1966).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eK\u0026ouml;hnke, M. C., Siekmann, I., Seno, H. \u0026amp; Malchow, H. A type IV functional response with different shapes in a predator\u0026ndash;prey model. \u003cem\u003eJ. Theor. Biol.\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e505\u003c/strong\u003e, 110419 (2020).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCabello, T., G\u0026aacute;mez, M. \u0026amp; Varga, Z. An improvement of the Holling Type III functional response in entomophagous species model. \u003cem\u003eJ. Biol. Syst.\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e15\u003c/strong\u003e, 515\u0026ndash;524 (2007).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePervez, A. \u0026amp; Omkar. Functional responses of coccinellid predators: An illustration of a logistic approach. \u003cem\u003eJ. Insect Sci.\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e5\u003c/strong\u003e, (2005).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFathipour, Y. \u0026amp; Maleknia, B. Mite Predators. In: Omkar (Ed.), Ecofriendly Pest Management for Food Security. Elsevier, San Diego, USA, pp. 329-366 (2016).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eJena, M. K., Michalska, K. \u0026amp; Studnicki, M. The impact of humidity on the functional response of \u003cem\u003eB\u003c/em\u003e\u003cem\u003elattisocius\u003c/em\u003e\u003cem\u003e mali\u003c/em\u003e (Acari: Blattisociidae) preying on the acarid mite \u003cem\u003eT\u003c/em\u003e\u003cem\u003eyrophagus\u003c/em\u003e\u003cem\u003e putrescentiae. Sci. Rep. \u003c/em\u003e(Preprint)\u003cem\u003e \u003c/em\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCuthbert, R. N. \u003cem\u003eet al.\u003c/em\u003e The Functional Response Ratio (FRR): advancing comparative metrics for predicting the ecological impacts of invasive alien species. \u003cem\u003eBiol. Invasions\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e21\u003c/strong\u003e, 2543\u0026ndash;2547 (2019).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKoveos, D. S. \u0026amp; Broufas, G. D. Functional response of \u003cem\u003eEuseius finlandicus\u003c/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eAmblyseius andersoni\u003c/em\u003e to \u003cem\u003ePanonychus ulmi\u003c/em\u003e on apple and peach leaves in the laboratory. \u003cem\u003eExp. Appl. Acarol.\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e24\u003c/strong\u003e: 247\u0026ndash;256 (2000).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAfshar, F. R. \u0026amp; Latifi, M. Functional response and predation rate of \u003cem\u003eAmblyseius swirskii\u003c/em\u003e (Acari: Phytoseiidae) at three constant temperatures. \u003cem\u003ePersian J. Acarol.\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e6\u003c/strong\u003e(4), 299-314 (2017).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMohaghegh, De Clercq \u0026amp; Tirry. Functional response of the predators \u003cem\u003ePodisus maculiventris\u003c/em\u003e (Say) and \u003cem\u003ePodisus nigrispinus\u003c/em\u003e (Dallas) (Heteroptera, Pentatomidae) to the beet armyworm, \u003cem\u003eSpodoptera exigua\u003c/em\u003e (H\u0026uuml;bner) (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae): effect of temperature. \u003cem\u003eJ. Appl. Entomol.\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e125\u003c/strong\u003e, 131\u0026ndash;134 (2001).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eD\u0026ouml;ker, I., Kazak, C. \u0026amp; Karut, K. Functional response and fecundity of a native \u003cem\u003eNeoseiulus californicus\u003c/em\u003e population to \u003cem\u003eTetranychus urticae\u003c/em\u003e (Acari: Phytoseiidae, Tetranychidae) at extreme humidity conditions. \u003cem\u003eSyst. Appl. Acarol.\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e21\u003c/strong\u003e, 1463 (2016).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFathipour, Y., Karimi, M., Farazmand, A. \u0026amp; Talebi, A. A. Age-specific functional response and predation rate of \u003cem\u003eAmblyseius swirskii\u003c/em\u003e (Phytoseiidae) on two-spotted spider mite. \u003cem\u003eSyst. Appl. Acarol.\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e22\u003c/strong\u003e(2): 159\u0026ndash;169 (2017).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStream, F. A. Effect of prey size on attack components of the functional responses by \u003cem\u003eNotonecta undulate\u003c/em\u003e. \u003cem\u003eOecologia\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e98\u003c/strong\u003e, 57\u0026ndash;63 (1994).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHassanpour, M., Mohaghegh, J., Iranipour, S., Nouri-Ganbalani, G. \u0026amp; Enkegaard, A. Functional response of \u003cem\u003eChrysoperla carnea\u003c/em\u003e (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) to \u003cem\u003eHelicoverpa armigera\u003c/em\u003e (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae): Effect of prey and predator stages. \u003cem\u003eInsect Sci.\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e18\u003c/strong\u003e: 217\u0026ndash;224 (2011).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePoletti, M., Maia, A. H. N. \u0026amp; Omoto, C. Toxicity of neonicotinoid insecticides to \u003cem\u003eNeoseiulus californicus\u003c/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003ePhytoseiulus macropilis\u003c/em\u003e (Acari: Phytoseiidae) and their impact on functional response to \u003cem\u003eTetranychus urticae\u003c/em\u003e (Acari: Tetranychidae). \u003cem\u003eBiol. Control\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e40\u003c/strong\u003e, 30\u0026ndash;36 (2007).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMadbouni, M. A., Samih, M. A., Namvar, P. \u0026amp; Biondi, A. Temperature-dependent functional response of \u003cem\u003eNesidiocoris tenuis\u003c/em\u003e (Hemiptera: Miridae) to different densities of pupae of cotton whitefly, \u003cem\u003eBemisia tabaci\u003c/em\u003e (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae). \u003cem\u003eEur. J. Entomol.\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e114\u003c/strong\u003e, 325\u0026ndash;331 (2017).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWang, B. \u0026amp; Ferro, D. N. Functional Responses of \u003cem\u003eTrichogramma ostriniae\u003c/em\u003e (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) to \u003cem\u003eOstrinia nubilalis\u003c/em\u003e (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) Under Laboratory and Field Conditions. \u003cem\u003eEnviron. Entomol.\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e27\u003c/strong\u003e, 752\u0026ndash;758 (1998).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDa Silva Nunes, G. \u003cem\u003eet al.\u003c/em\u003e Temperature-dependent functional response of \u003cem\u003eEuborellia annulipes\u003c/em\u003e (Dermaptera: Anisolabididae) preying on \u003cem\u003ePlutella xylostella\u003c/em\u003e (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) larvae. \u003cem\u003eJ. Therm. Biol.\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e93\u003c/strong\u003e, 102686 (2020). \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMumtaz, M. \u003cem\u003eet al. \u003c/em\u003eFunctional response of \u003cem\u003eNeoseiulus californicus\u003c/em\u003e (Acari: Phytoseiidae) to \u003cem\u003eTetranychus urticae\u003c/em\u003e (Acari: Tetranychidae) at different temperatures. \u003cem\u003ePeer J\u003c/em\u003e. \u003cstrong\u003e11\u003c/strong\u003e, e16461 (2023). \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIslam, Y. \u003cem\u003eet al.\u003c/em\u003e Functional response of \u003cem\u003eHarmonia axyridis\u003c/em\u003e preying on \u003cem\u003eAcyrthosiphon\u003c/em\u003e \u003cem\u003episum\u003c/em\u003e nymphs: the effect of temperature. \u003cem\u003eSci. Rep.\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e11\u003c/strong\u003e, 13565 (2021).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWalker, R., Wilder, S. M. \u0026amp; Gonz\u0026aacute;lez, A. L. Temperature dependency of predation: Increased killing rates and prey mass consumption by predators with warming. \u003cem\u003eEcol. Evol.\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e10\u003c/strong\u003e, 9696\u0026ndash;9706 (2020). \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDavidson, A. T., Hamman, E. A., McCoy, M. W. \u0026amp; Vonesh, J. R. Asymmetrical effects of temperature on stage-structured predator-prey interactions. \u003cem\u003eFunct. Ecol.\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e35\u003c/strong\u003e, 1041\u0026ndash;1054 (2021).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTaylor, D. \u0026amp; Collie, J. Effect of temperature on the functional response and foraging behaviour of the sand shrimp \u003cem\u003eCrangon septemspinosa\u003c/em\u003e preying on juvenile winter flounder \u003cem\u003ePseudopleuronectes americanus\u003c/em\u003e. \u003cem\u003eMar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e263\u003c/strong\u003e, 217\u0026ndash;234 (2003).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ede Moraes, G. J., Venancio, R., dos Santos, V. L. V. \u0026amp; Paschoal, A. D. Potential of Ascidae, Blattisociidae and Melicharidae (Acari: Mesostigmata) as Biological Control Agents of Pest Organisms. In Prospects for Biological Control of Plant Feeding Mites and Other Harmful Organisms; Springer International Publishing: Cham, Switzerland 33\u0026ndash;75 (2015).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMa\u0026scaron;\u0026aacute;n, P. A new, morphologically and ecologically unusual \u003cem\u003eLasioseius\u003c/em\u003e mite (Acari: Blattisociidae) associated with \u003cem\u003eDiaperis boleti \u003c/em\u003e(Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae) and wood-decomposing fungi in Slovakia. \u003cem\u003eAcarologia\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e63\u003c/strong\u003e(1), 89-105 (2023).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMichalska, K., Mrowińska, A. \u0026amp; Studnicki, M. Ectoparasitism of the Flightless \u003cem\u003eDrosophila melanogaster\u003c/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eD. hydei\u003c/em\u003e by the Mite \u003cem\u003eBlattisocius mali\u003c/em\u003e (Acari: Blattisociidae). \u003cem\u003eInsects\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e14\u003c/strong\u003e, 146 (2023).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHughes, A. The mites of stored food and houses. \u003cem\u003eTechnical Bull., Min. Agric. and Fisheries in London\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e73\u003c/strong\u003e, 145 (1976). \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eZhang, Z. Q. Acarid Mites. Part II pest mites. In: mites of greenhouses-identification, biology, and control. CABI, Walingford, UK, \u003cstrong\u003e8\u003c/strong\u003e, 141-158 (2003).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eItisha, Gulati, R., Anita \u0026amp; Manoj. Damage potential of \u003cem\u003eTyrophagus putrescentiae\u003c/em\u003e Schrank (Acari: Acaridae) in mushrooms. \u003cem\u003eEmergent Life Sci. Res.\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e3\u003c/strong\u003e(2), 6-15 (2017).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMurillo, P., Arias, J. \u0026amp; Aguilari, H. First record and verification of \u003cem\u003eTyrophagus putrescentiae\u003c/em\u003e (Acari: Acaridae) causing direct damage on anthurium plants cultivated \u003cem\u003ein\u003c/em\u003e \u003cem\u003evitro\u003c/em\u003e. \u003cem\u003eSyst. Appl. Acarol. \u003c/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e26\u003c/strong\u003e(11), 2048\u0026ndash;2058 (2021). \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHubert, J. \u003cem\u003eet al.\u003c/em\u003e Mites as Selective Fungal Carriers in Stored Grain Habitats. \u003cem\u003eExp. Appl. Acarol.\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e29\u003c/strong\u003e, 69\u0026ndash;87 (2003).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eS\u0026aacute;nchez-Ramos, I. \u0026amp; Casta\u0026ntilde;era, P. Development and survival of \u003cem\u003eTyrophagus\u003c/em\u003e \u003cem\u003eputrescentiae\u003c/em\u003e (Acari: Acaridae) at constant temperatures. \u003cem\u003eEnviron. Entomol.\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e30\u003c/strong\u003e(6), 1082-1089 (2001).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eQu, S. X. \u003cem\u003eet al.\u003c/em\u003e Effects of different edible mushroom hosts on the development, reproduction and bacterial community of \u003cem\u003eTyrophagus putrescentiae\u003c/em\u003e (Schrank). \u003cem\u003eJ. Stored Prod. Res.\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e61\u003c/strong\u003e, 70\u0026ndash;75 (2015).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePlatts-Mills, T. A., Vaughan, J. W., Carter, M. C. \u0026amp; Woodfolk, J. A. The role of intervention in established allergy: avoidance of indoor allergens in the treatment of chronic allergic disease. \u003cem\u003eJ. Allergy Clin. Immunol.\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e106\u003c/strong\u003e(5), 787-804 (2000).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSorenson, J. G, Addison, M. F. \u0026amp; Terblanche, J. S. Mass rearing of insects for pest management: Challenges, synergies and advances from evolutionary physiology. \u003cem\u003eCrop Prot.\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e38\u003c/strong\u003e, 87-94 (2012).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRivard, I. A technique for individual rearing of the predacious mite \u003cem\u003eMelichares\u003c/em\u003e \u003cem\u003edentriticus\u003c/em\u003e (Berlese) (Acarina: Aceosejidae) with notes on its life history and behavior.\u003cem\u003e Can. Entomol.\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e92\u003c/strong\u003e(11): 834\u0026ndash;839 (1960). \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRivard, I. Influence of humidity on the predaceous mite \u003cem\u003eMelichares dentriticus\u003c/em\u003e (Berlese) (Acarina: Aceosejidae). \u003cem\u003eCan. J. Zool.\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e40\u003c/strong\u003e, 761\u0026ndash;766 (1962). \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRivard, I. Some effects of prey density on survival, speed of development, and fecundity of the predaceous mite \u003cem\u003eMelichares dendriticus\u003c/em\u003e (Berlese) (Acarina: Aceosejidae). \u003cem\u003eCan. J. Zool.\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e40\u003c/strong\u003e(7), 1233\u0026ndash;1236 (1962).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRiudavets, J., Lucas, E. \u0026amp; Pons, M. J. Insects and mites of stored products in the northeast of Spain. \u003cem\u003eIOBC Bull.\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e25\u003c/strong\u003e(3), 41\u0026ndash;44 (2002). \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRiudavets, J., Maya, M. \u0026amp; Monserrat, M. Predation by \u003cem\u003eBlattisocius\u003c/em\u003e \u003cem\u003etarsalis\u003c/em\u003e (Acari: Ascidae) on stored product pests. \u003cem\u003eIOBC WPRS Bull.\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e25\u003c/strong\u003e(3), 121\u0026ndash;126 (2002).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEsteca, F. D. C. N., P\u0026eacute;rez-Madruga, Y., Britto, E. P. J. \u0026amp; de Moraes, G. J. Does the ability of \u003cem\u003eBlattisocius\u003c/em\u003e species to prey on mites and insects vary according to the relative length of the cheliceral digits? \u003cem\u003eAcarologia\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e54\u003c/strong\u003e(3), 359\u0026ndash;365 (2014). \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKassem, E. M. K. Predation by \u003cem\u003eBlattisocius tarsalis\u003c/em\u003e (Acari: Ascidae) on two stored product pest mites. \u003cem\u003eInt. J. Entomol. Res.\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e4\u003c/strong\u003e(4), 74\u0026ndash;76 (2019).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAbbas, A. A., Yassin, E. M. A., El-Bahrawy, A. F., El-Sharabasy, H. M. \u0026amp; Kamel, M. S. Biology of \u003cem\u003eBlattisocius\u003c/em\u003e \u003cem\u003emali\u003c/em\u003e (Oudemans) (Acari: Gamasida: Ascidae) feeding on different diets under laboratory conditions. \u003cem\u003eEVMSPJ\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e16\u003c/strong\u003e, 92\u0026ndash;101 (2020).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGallego, J. R., Caicedo, O., Gamez, M., Hernandez, J. \u0026amp; Cabello, T. Selection of Predatory Mites for the Biological Control of Potato Tuber Moth in Stored Potatoes. \u003cem\u003eInsects\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e11\u003c/strong\u003e, 196 (2020).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSolano-Rojas, Y., Gallego, J. R., Gamez, M., Garay, J., Hernandez, J. \u0026amp; Cabello, T. Evaluation of \u003cem\u003eTrichogramma cacaeciae\u003c/em\u003e (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) and \u003cem\u003eBlattisocius mali\u003c/em\u003e (Mesostigmata: Blattisociidae) in the post-harvest biological control of the potato tuber moth (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae): Use of sigmoid functions. \u003cem\u003eAgriculture\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e12\u003c/strong\u003e, 519 (2022).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMichalska, K., Mrowińska, A., Studnicki, M. \u0026amp; Jena, M. K. Feeding behaviour of the mite \u003cem\u003eBlattisocius mali\u003c/em\u003e on eggs of the fruit flies \u003cem\u003eDrosophila melanogaster\u003c/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eD. hydei\u003c/em\u003e. \u003cem\u003eDiversity\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e15\u003c/strong\u003e, 652 (2023).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMichalska, K. \u003cem\u003eet al. \u003c/em\u003ePreliminary studies on the predation of the mite \u003cem\u003eBlattisocius mali\u003c/em\u003e (Acari: Blattisociidae) on various life stages of spider mite, thrips and fruit fly. \u003cem\u003eInsects\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e14\u003c/strong\u003e, 747 (2023).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAsgari, F., Safavi, S. A. \u0026amp; Moayeri, H. R. S. Life table parameters of the predatory mite, \u003cem\u003eBlattisocius mali\u003c/em\u003e Oudemans (Mesostigmata: Blattisociidae), fed on eggs and larvae of the stored product mite, \u003cem\u003eTyrophagus putrescentiae\u003c/em\u003e (Schrank). \u003cem\u003eEgypt. J. Biol. Pest Control\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e32\u003c/strong\u003e(1), 118 (2022).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNielsen, P. S. (1999). The impact of temperature on activity and consumption rate of moth eggs by \u003cem\u003eBlattisocius tarsalis\u003c/em\u003e (Acari: Ascidae). \u003cem\u003eExp. Appl. Acarol. \u003c/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e23\u003c/strong\u003e, 149-157.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eJena, M. K., Michalska, K. \u0026amp; Studnicki, M. The life table parameters of \u003cem\u003eB\u003c/em\u003e\u003cem\u003elattisocius\u003c/em\u003e\u003cem\u003e mali\u003c/em\u003e (Acari: Blattisociidae) preying on the acarid mite \u003cem\u003eT\u003c/em\u003e\u003cem\u003eyrophagus\u003c/em\u003e\u003cem\u003e putrescentiae \u003c/em\u003eat different temperatures\u003cem\u003e \u003c/em\u003e(Unpublished)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReal, L. A. The Kinetics of Functional Response. \u003cem\u003eAm. Nat.\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e111\u003c/strong\u003e, 289\u0026ndash;300 (1977).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRogers, D. J. Random search and insect population models. \u003cem\u003eJ. Anim. Ecol.\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e41\u003c/strong\u003e, 369-383 (1972).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLi \u003cem\u003eet al.\u003c/em\u003e Functional response and prey stage preference of \u003cem\u003eNeoseiulus barkeri\u003c/em\u003e on \u003cem\u003eTrasonemus confusus\u003c/em\u003e. \u003cem\u003eSyst. Appl. Acarol. \u003c/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e23\u003c/strong\u003e(11), 2244-2258 (2018).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHassell, M. P., Lawton, J. H. \u0026amp; Beddington, J. R. Sigmoid functional response by invertebrate predators and parasitoids. \u003cem\u003eJ. Animal Ecol.\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e46\u003c/strong\u003e: 249\u0026ndash;262 (1977).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBarrios‐O\u0026apos;Neill, D., Kelly, R., Dick, J. T., Ricciardi, A., MacIsaac, H. J. \u0026amp; Emmerson, M. C. (2016). On the context‐dependent scaling of consumer feeding rates. \u003cem\u003eEcol. Lett. \u003c/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e19\u003c/strong\u003e(6), 668-678 (2016).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHammill, E., Petchey, O. L. \u0026amp; Anholt, B. R. Predator functional response changed by induced defenses in prey. \u003cem\u003eAm. Nat. 176\u003c/em\u003e(6), 723-731 (2010).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVucic‐Pestic, O., Rall, B. C., Kalinkat, G. \u0026amp; Brose, U. Allometric functional response model: body masses constrain interaction strengths. \u003cem\u003eJ. Animal Ecol.\u003c/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e79\u003c/strong\u003e(1), 249-256 (2010).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUszko, W., Diehl, S., Englund, G. \u0026amp; Amarasekare, P. Effects of warming on predator\u0026ndash;prey interactions\u0026ndash;a resource‐based approach and a theoretical synthesis. \u003cem\u003eEcol. Lett. \u003c/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e20\u003c/strong\u003e(4), 513-523 (2017).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDaugaard, U., Petchey, O. \u0026amp; Pennekamp, F. Warming can destabilize predator-prey interactions by shifting the functional response from Type III to Type II. \u003cem\u003eJ. Anim. Behav\u003c/em\u003e. \u003cstrong\u003e88\u003c/strong\u003e, 1575\u0026ndash;1586 (2019).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRall, B. C., Guill, C. \u0026amp; Brose, U. Food‐web connectance and predator interference dampen the paradox of enrichment. \u003cem\u003eOikos\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e117\u003c/strong\u003e(2), 202-213 (2008).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eJuliano, S. A. Non-linear curve fitting: predation and functional response curves. In: Scheiner, S. M., Gurevitch, J. (Eds.), Design and Analysis of Ecological Experiments. Oxford University Press, New York 178\u0026ndash;196 (2001).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBoczek, J. Mite pests in stored food. \u003cem\u003eEcol. Manag. food Ind. Pests. arlingt.\u003c/em\u003e \u003cem\u003eFDA Tech. Bull.\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e4\u003c/strong\u003e: 57\u0026ndash;79 (1991).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMonteiro, V. B., Fran\u0026ccedil;a, G. F., Gondim, M. G. C., Lima, D. B., Melo, J. W. S. \u003cem\u003eNeoseiulus\u003c/em\u003e \u003cem\u003ebaraki\u003c/em\u003e (Acari: Phytoseiidae) survival and walking in response to environmental stress. \u003cem\u003eSyst. Appl. Acarol.\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e24\u003c/strong\u003e(3):487\u0026ndash;496 (2019).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eS\u0026aacute;nchez-Ramos, I. \u0026amp; Casta\u0026ntilde;era, P. Effect of temperature on reproductive parameters and longevity of \u003cem\u003eTyrophagus putrescentiae\u003c/em\u003e (Acari: Acaridae). \u003cem\u003eExp. Appl. Acarol. \u003c/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e36\u003c/strong\u003e, 93-105 (2005).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGeden, C. J. \u0026amp; Axtell, R. C. Predation by \u003cem\u003eCarcinops pumilio\u003c/em\u003e (Coleoptera: Histeridae) and \u003cem\u003eMacrocheles muscaedomesticae\u003c/em\u003e (Acarina: Macrochelidae) on the house fly (Diptera: Muscidae): functional response, effects of temperature, and availability of alternative prey. \u003cem\u003eEnviron. Entomol.\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e17\u003c/strong\u003e(4), 739-744 (1988).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eJafari, S., Fathipour, Y. \u0026amp; Faraji, F. The influence of temperature on the functional response and prey consumption of \u003cem\u003eNeoseiulus barkeri\u003c/em\u003e (Acari: Phytoseiidae) on \u003cem\u003eTetranychus urticae\u003c/em\u003e (Acari: Tetranychidae). \u003cem\u003eJ. Entomol. Soc. Iran\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e31\u003c/strong\u003e(2), 39\u0026ndash;52 (2012).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eZhang, Y., Zhang, Z. Q., Lin, J. \u0026amp; Liu, Q. Predation of \u003cem\u003eAmblyseius\u003c/em\u003e \u003cem\u003elongispinosus\u003c/em\u003e (Acari: Phytoseiidae) on \u003cem\u003eAponychus corpuzae\u003c/em\u003e (Acari: Tetranychidae). \u003cem\u003eSyst. Appl. Acarol. \u003c/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e3\u003c/strong\u003e(1), 53-58 (1998).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKuwahara, Y., Ishii, S. \u0026amp; Fukami, H. Neryl formate: Alarm pheromone of the cheese mite, \u003cem\u003eTyrophagus putrescentiae\u003c/em\u003e (Schrank) (Acarina: Acaridae). \u003cem\u003eExperientia \u003c/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e31\u003c/strong\u003e, 1115\u0026ndash;1116 (1975).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePirayeshfar, F., Safavi, S. A., Moayeri, H. R. S. \u0026amp; Messelink, G. J. Provision of astigmatid mites as supplementary food increases the density of the predatory mite \u003cem\u003eAmblyseius swirskii\u003c/em\u003e in greenhouse crops, but does not support the omnivorous pest, western flower thrips. \u003cem\u003eBioControl\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e66\u003c/strong\u003e, 511\u0026ndash;522 (2021).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePritchard, D. W., Paterson, R. A., Bovy, H. C. \u0026amp; Barrios‐O\u0026rsquo;Neill, D. \u0026lt;scp\u0026gt;frair\u0026lt;/scp\u0026gt;: an R package for fitting and comparing consumer functional responses. \u003cem\u003eMethods Ecol. Evol.\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e8\u003c/strong\u003e, 1528\u0026ndash;1534 (2017).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eErnst, M. D. \u0026quot;Permutation Methods: A Basis for Exact Inference.\u0026quot; \u003cem\u003eStatist. Sci. \u003c/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e19\u003c/strong\u003e(4), 676 \u0026ndash; 685 (November 2004).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eR Core Team. R: A language and environment for statistical computing. R foundation for statistical computing, Vienna, Austria (2023).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":false,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":true,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"scientific-reports","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"scirep","sideBox":"Learn more about [Scientific Reports](http://www.nature.com/srep/)","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"","title":"Scientific Reports","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"stoa","reportingPortfolio":"Scientific Reports","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"Acarid mite, Attack rate, Blattisocius mali, Handling time, Mesostigmata, Potential for prey mortality, Predation","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-5220460/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-5220460/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"Climate warming significantly impacts soil temperature and moisture, leading to changes in the foraging activities of predators. The current research aimed to investigate the effect of temperature on the functional response of the predatory soil mite Blattisocius mali Oudemans preying on either eggs or males of the mould mite Tyrophagus putrescentiae Schrank. To analyze the functional response type, the generalized functional response equation of Real (1977) was used while the functional response parameters were determined using Roger (1972), Hassell (1978), and Cabello et al. (2007) models. Female adult B. mali displayed Type III and Type II functional responses when preying on eggs and males, respectively across all tested temperatures, ranging between 10oC and 35oC. The handling time of B. mali was longer at lower temperatures when preying on either eggs or males. In contrast, the potential for prey mortality, the attack rate, and the Functional Response Ratio were higher at higher temperatures indicating higher efficiency of B. mali at higher temperatures. The temperature strongly impacted predators’ efficiency, as accelerated predator action under warming increased prey consumption. However, functional response type did not change with warmer temperatures but varied with changing prey types from eggs to males.","manuscriptTitle":"The effect of temperature on the functional response of Blattisocius mali (Acari: Blattisociidae) preying on the acarid mite Tyrophagus putrescentiae","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2024-12-11 13:18:09","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-5220460/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0},{"type":"decision","content":"Revision requested","date":"2024-11-25T06:01:08+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2024-11-20T17:25:56+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2024-11-07T08:29:53+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2024-11-04T06:07:42+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"338204221337246362833978707535526884149","date":"2024-10-31T17:10:53+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"29782233451177878279099750683418765122","date":"2024-10-28T07:23:58+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"239595121063223177520488239621005079872","date":"2024-10-28T05:35:59+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewersInvited","content":"","date":"2024-10-28T01:52:14+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorAssigned","content":"","date":"2024-10-28T01:47:07+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvited","content":"","date":"2024-10-21T05:30:54+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"checksComplete","content":"","date":"2024-10-19T13:25:42+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"submitted","content":"Scientific Reports","date":"2024-10-07T20:07:50+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"scientific-reports","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"scirep","sideBox":"Learn more about [Scientific Reports](http://www.nature.com/srep/)","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"","title":"Scientific Reports","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"stoa","reportingPortfolio":"Scientific Reports","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"dbbdb9ed-a899-4750-b609-b5194ee15698","owner":[],"postedDate":"December 11th, 2024","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"published-in-journal","subjectAreas":[{"id":40692222,"name":"Biological sciences/Ecology"},{"id":40692223,"name":"Biological sciences/Zoology"}],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2025-05-05T16:00:34+00:00","versionOfRecord":{"articleIdentity":"rs-5220460","link":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-00268-z","journal":{"identity":"scientific-reports","isVorOnly":false,"title":"Scientific Reports"},"publishedOn":"2025-05-02 15:57:28","publishedOnDateReadable":"May 2nd, 2025"},"versionCreatedAt":"2024-12-11 13:18:09","video":"","vorDoi":"10.1038/s41598-025-00268-z","vorDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-00268-z","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-5220460","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-5220460","identity":"rs-5220460","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"qtupq5eGEP_6zYnWcrvyt","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}