Ultrastructure, characteristic features and occurrence of Nosema leptinotarsae Lipa, 1968, a microsporidian pathogen of Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae)

Abstract

AbstractThis paper presents the ultrastructure and characteristic features of Nosema leptinotarsae infecting L. decemlineata collected in Trabzon (Turkey). Fresh spores are oval, 4.69 ± 0.19 μm in length and 2.43 ± 0.12 μm in width (n = 50). The spore wall is thick and measures 180 to 250 nm and consists of a clear endospore (130 to 170 nm) and an electron-dense, uniform exospore (50 to 80 nm). The polar filament is isofilar and has 15–16 coils. The well-developed polaroplast has a lamellated structure with thin lamellae. The ultrastructural features of Nosema leptinotarsae differ from those of other microsporidia infecting chrysomelids.