New case of long-term persistence of Paranosema locustae (Microsporidia) in melanopline grasshoppers (Orthoptera: Acrididae: Melanoplinae) of Argentina

J Invertebr Pathol. 2008 Nov;99(3):357-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jip.2008.09.002. Epub 2008 Sep 9.

Abstract

We report an additional case of long-term persistence of Paranosema locustae in grasshoppers of Argentina. The pathogen was introduced from North America on rangeland at Loncopué, Neuquén province. Microsporidia were not detected in pre-introduction samples whereas infected grasshoppers were found 11 years after introduction. Affected grasshoppers were the melanoplines Dichroplus elongatus, Dichroplus maculipennis, and Scotussa lemniscata, some of them with high spore loads. The case highlights the ability of P. locustae to recycle in local grasshopper communities by parasitizing susceptible species other than the natural hosts.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Argentina
  • Fat Body / microbiology
  • Fat Body / pathology
  • Grasshoppers / microbiology*
  • Host-Pathogen Interactions
  • Microsporidia / pathogenicity
  • Microsporidia / physiology*
  • Microsporidiosis / microbiology
  • Microsporidiosis / veterinary*
  • Nymph / microbiology
  • Nymph / physiology
  • Spores, Fungal
  • Time Factors