Gregarina hylobii (Sporozoa: Eugregarinida) in American Pine Reproduction Weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Trophozoites, gamonts, gametocysts, and oocysts of Gregarina hylobii, obtained from two species of American pine reproduction weevils (Hylobius pales and Pachylobius picivorus), are described. Stages of this gregarine are parasitic in the posterior promesenteron and anterior metamesenteron of their...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Transactions of the American Microscopical Society 1988-07, Vol.107 (3), p.269-276
Main Authors: Schabel, Hans G., Taft, Stephen J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Beetles
Biological and medical sciences
Coleoptera
Epithelial cells
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Gametocytes
Gregarines
Insect reproduction
Life cycle. Host-agent relationship. Pathogenesis
Oocysts
Parasite hosts
Protozoa
Trophozoites
Weevils
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Summary:Trophozoites, gamonts, gametocysts, and oocysts of Gregarina hylobii, obtained from two species of American pine reproduction weevils (Hylobius pales and Pachylobius picivorus), are described. Stages of this gregarine are parasitic in the posterior promesenteron and anterior metamesenteron of their respective hosts. In field-collected beetles, the prevalence of infection was higher in September than in March. Lower infection levels correlated with larger parasite specimens, some gamonts attaining lengths of up to 710 µm. Size, morphology, and low level of pathogenicity of the gregarine obtained from American pine reproduction weevils suggest that this species is identical with G. hylobii previously described from Hylobius abietis in Europe. Based on the gregarine's large size, regular occurrence, wide distribution, easy laboratory maintenance, and exceptional longevity of its hosts, G. hylobii and American pine reproduction weevils are recommended as a convenient model system for the study of host-parasite relationships.
ISSN:0003-0023
2325-5145
DOI:10.2307/3226504