Effects of a microsporidium from the convergent lady beetle, Hippodamia convergens Guérin–Méneville (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), on three non-target coccinellids

Natural Enemies of Ladybird Beetles

“…axyridis when these larvae consumed infected eggs in the laboratory. Indeed, the microsporidium was transmitted with 100% effi ciency when fi rst instar larvae were fed infected eggs, and, in all cases, larval development was signifi cantly longer for microsporidiainfected individuals than for uninfected individuals, but the microsporidium had no effect on larval mortality (Saito & Bjornson 2008 ). Therefore, the practice…”

Microsporidia Biological Control Agents and Pathogens of Beneficial Insects

“…Although T. hippodamiae-infected H. convergens produce fewer eggs and do not live as long as uninfected beetles, the pathogen has no effect on the fecundity and longevity of A. bipunctata, C. septempunctata, or H. axyridis. Vertical transmission of the pathogen reached 100% during a 90-day ovipositional study when these beetles were fed T. hippodamiae-infected eggs as larvae (Saito & Bjørnson 2008).…”

Ultrastructure and molecular characterization of a microsporidium, Tubulinosema hippodamiae, from the convergent lady beetle, Hippodamia convergens Guérin-Méneville

“…Slight variations in spore dimensions among the microsporidia that infect coccinellids could be attributed to differences in fixation methods and study techniques. Past descriptions of microsporidia from lady beetle hosts have been based on light microscopic study, and because the pathogen from H. convergens has a relatively broad host range (Saito and Bjørnson, 2008); questions regarding the true identity of these pathogens remain unanswered.…”