Pathogenicity of a microsporidium isolate from the diamondback moth against Noctuid moths: characterization and implications for microbiological pest management.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Due to problems with chemical control, there is increasing interest in the use of microsporidia for control of lepidopteran pests. However, there have been few studies to evaluate the susceptibility of exotic species to microsporidia from indigenous Lepidoptera.

Methodology/principal findings

We investigated some biological characteristics of the microsporidian parasite isolated from wild Plutella xylostella (PX) and evaluated its pathogenicity on the laboratory responses of sympatric invasive and resident noctuid moths. There were significant differences in spore size and morphology between PX and Spodoptera litura (SL) isolates. Spores of PX isolate were ovocylindrical, while those of SL were oval. PX spores were 1.05 times longer than those of SL, which in turn

SUBMITTER: Ghani IA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3859509 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature