Effects of an unidentified microsporidium on the convergent lady beetle, Hippodamia convergens Guérin-Méneville (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), used for biological control

Natural Enemies of Ladybird Beetles

“…convergens was reported by Bjornson and coauthors (Saito & Bjornson 2006, Joudrey & Bjornson 2007, Bjornson 2008. After ultrastructure and molecular examination, it was described as a new species, Tubulinosema hippodamiae (Bjornson et al 2011 ).…”

“…Infection of Hip. convergens by this species has been shown to increase development time and reduce longevity and female fecundity (Joudrey & Bjornson 2007 ). Saito & Bjornson (2006) demonstrated the effi cacy of horizontal transmission of the microsporidium from Hip.…”

Natural enemies of the Coccinellidae: Parasites, pathogens, and parasitoids

“…Joudrey and Bjørnson (2007) found that infection reduced longevity and increased development rates of H. convergens. Both vertical and horizontal transmission of spores can be highly efficient.…”

Microsporidia Biological Control Agents and Pathogens of Beneficial Insects

“…hippodamiae prolongs the development of H. convergens larvae and reduces the fecundity and survival of adults. The pathogen is transmitted horizontally with 100% efficiency among H. convergens cohorts and other coccinellids when microsporidia-infected H. convergens eggs are cannibalized (Saito & Bjørnson 2006, 2008Joudrey & Bjørnson 2007). Under laboratory conditions, T. hippodamiae infects several coccinellids, including Adalia bipunctata (the two-spotted lady beetle), Coccinella septempunctata (seven-spotted lady beetle), C. trifasciata perplexa (three-banded lady beetle), and Harmonia axyridis (multicolored Asian lady beetle).…”