Microsporidia Biological Control Agents and Pathogens of Beneficial Insects

Microsporidia – Emergent Pathogens in the Global Food Chain

“…Microsporidia are known to infect more than 30 species of field-collected and mass-reared beneficial invertebrates including parasitoids, predatory insects and mites, phytophagous insects used for weed control, and beneficial nematodes. They decrease food consumption in their hosts, prolong development, impart physical deformations, reduce fecundity and longevity, and increase mortality [59]. For example, Muscidifurax raptor , a parasitoid found naturally occurring on dairy farms where they provide effective house- and stable-fly control, is mass-reared for inundative release.…”

“…Pathogen prevalence is also high (up to 84%) on farms where infected parasitoids are released [60,61]. Because microsporidian infections are typically cryptic, they may be overlooked initially in mass-reared colonies [59]. However, with increasing recognition of the potential of insects as a source of protein for the burgeoning global population [62], more controlled mass-rearing conditions, including the development of pathogen-free brood lines and appropriate legal frameworks for their trade, are now required.…”

Using the SSU, ITS, and Ribosomal DNA Operon Arrangement to Characterize Two Microsporidia Infecting Bruce Spanworm, Operophtera bruceata (Lepidoptera: Geometridae)

“…). These intracellular pathogens are ubiquitous throughout every insect order (Becnel and Andreadis ; Bjornson and Oi ; Hajek et al. ; Kurze et al.…”

“…). As such, the ability of Microsporidia to influence their hosts’ population dynamics has gained the attention of researchers involved in the creation and implementation of pest population management strategies (Bjornson and Oi ; Oien and Ragsdale ; Solter et al. ).…”

“…THE Microsporidia are a phylum of unicellular, obligate fungal parasites composed of approximately 200 genera, the majority of which infect insects (Becnel and Andreadis 2014;Solter et al 2012). These intracellular pathogens are ubiquitous throughout every insect order (Becnel and Andreadis 2014;Bjornson and Oi 2014;Hajek et al 2007;Kurze et al 2016;Sarfraz et al 2005;Solter et al 2012), and while microsporidian infection typically exhibits low virulence, chronic infections can have a large impact on a host population due to the physiological burdens of parasitism, including reduction in body size, shortened lifespan, and reduced fecundity (Becnel and Andreadis 2014;Dunn and Smith 2001;Holt and Grozinger 2016;Solter et al 2012). As such, the ability of Microsporidia to influence their hosts' population dynamics has gained the attention of researchers involved in the creation and implementation of pest population management strategies (Bjornson and Oi 2014;Oien and Ragsdale 1993;Solter et al 2010).…”