Microsporidia (of beneficial insects)

diseases/pests of beneficials • other pests • pests-diseases-weeds

EM images of Nosema podocotyloidis, a species infecting fish (click on image to enlarge it)
Authors: Bhen Sikina Toguebaye, Yann Quilichini, Papa Mbagnick Diagne and Bernard Marchand
Source:Wikimedia Commons

Microsporidia (of beneficial insects)
The species of this group of pathogens are obligate intracellular parasites with unicellular spores, single tubular polar filaments and without mitochondria. There is evidence that the group is related to the fungi. Microsporidia infect a large variety of organisms including arthropods, vertebrates and other groups. In insects, the infections are initiated through the gut wall. Although they are typically slow acting, they can be common organisms in bee hives and cause a reduction of the lifespan of honeybees and a weakening of the colonies.

Note:
This page covers microsporidian diseases of beneficial insects only. For species considered to be biological control agents of insect pests see the section Microsporidia (entomopathogens).

The following genera are currently entered under "Microsporidia (of beneficial insects)":

• Nosema (genus)