Vairimorpha invictae (entomopathogen)
| Literature database |
|---|
| 10 articles sorted by: |
| • year (recent ones first) |
| • research topics |
| • countries/regions |
| • list of pest species |
Authors: Juan Briano, Luis Calcaterra, and Laura Varone
Source:Psyche (2012), art. 198084
Vairimorpha invictae (entomopathogen) Jouvenaz & Ellis, 1986
This microsporidian has been described from the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta, in Brazil. It can also infect other species of Solenopsis, but not other genera of ants (Porter et al., 2007). V. invictae infections can be found in larvae, pupae and adult stages of the fire ants. In different surveys in South America, a high proportion of ant colonies have been found infected by the pathogens, and it is regarded as a useful biological control agent of pest fire ants.
Initially, rod-shaped binucleate spores are produced, mainly in larvae and pupae. Later oval unicellular spores are formed by meiosis, predominantly in adult ants. When colonies are artificially infected in the laboratory, they produces significantly fewer adults and fewer immature ants compared to untreated colonies (Briano and Williams, 2002).
