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Research Project: CONTROL AND PROTECTION TOOLS FOR INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT OF MOSQUITOES AND FILTH FLIES

Location: Mosquito and Fly Research Unit

Title: INFECTIVITY OF TWO ISOLATES OF HELICOSPORIDIUM SPP. (CHLOROPHYTA: TREBOUXIOPHYCEAE) IN HETEROLOGOUS HOST INSECTS

Authors
item Conklin, Tracy - UNIV OF FLORIDA
item Blaske-Lietze, Verena-Ulrike - UNIV OF FLORIDA
item Becnel, James
item Boucias, Drion - UNIV OF FLORIDA

Submitted to: Florida Entomologist
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: November 15, 2005
Publication Date: December 31, 2005
Citation: Conklin, T., Blaske-Lietze, V., Becnel, J.J., Boucias, D.G. 2005. Infectivity of two isolates of helicosporidium spp. (chlorophyta: trebouxiophyceae) in heterologous host insects. Florida Entomologist 88(4):431-440.

Interpretive Summary: Naturally occurring protozoan parasites of insects are under study to evaluate and develop these disease causing organisms as biological control agents. A new species of Helicosporidia has been found in black flies in Florida. Helicosporida are known from a number of arthropods, but fundamental knowledge on their life cycles, modes of transmission and taxonomic placement are incomplete. In this investigation we have conducted basic biological studies of this Helicosporidium sp. against mosquitoes and a weevil host to determine infectivity and virulence.

Technical Abstract: Members of the genus Helicosporidium are the first described algal insect pathogens. They have a close affinity to the non-photosynthetic algae of the genus Prototheca, and have a wide host range, infecting many species of aquatic and terrestrial insects. In this study the infectivity of two Helicosporidium spp. isolates, originating from a black fly (SjHe) and an aquatic weevil (CsHe), was tested against a weevil Diaprepes abbreviatus (L.) and three mosquito species Anopheles quadrimaculatus Say, Culex quinquefasciatus Say, and Aedes aegypti (L.). The weevil constitutes a new experimental host record for helicosporidia. The CsHe isolate was more virulent than the SjHe isolate in D. abbreviatus. Anopheles quadrimaculatus was the most susceptible mosquito species measured by infection rate and mortality. The infectivity and virulence of SjHe and CsHe isolates did not differ in any of the mosquito species.

   

 
Project Team
Becnel, James
Geden, Christopher - Chris
Hogsette, Jerome - Jerry
Kline, Daniel - Dan
Linthicum, Kenneth - Ken
Clark, Gary
Bernier, Ulrich - Uli
Allan, Sandra - Sandy
 
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Related National Programs
  Veterinary, Medical and Urban Entomology (104)
 
Patents
  New Method For Developing Molecular Pesticides
 
 
Last Modified: 05/24/2013
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