Florida Entomologist (2005) 88, 431-440

Tracy Conklin, Verena-Ulrike Bläske-Lietze, James J. Becnel and Drion G. Boucias (2005)
Infectivity of two isolates of Helicosporidium spp. (Chlorophyta: Trebouxiophyceae) in heterologous host insects
Florida Entomologist 88 (4), 431-440
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.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Full text of article
Database assignments for author(s): James J. Becnel

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
general biology - morphology - evolution

---

Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Culex quinquefasciatus
	Anopheles quadrimaculatus
	Diaprepes abbreviatus
Helicosporidium (genus - entomopathogens)	Culex quinquefasciatus
Helicosporidium (genus - entomopathogens)	Anopheles quadrimaculatus
Helicosporidium (genus - entomopathogens)	Diaprepes abbreviatus