EXTENSION OF THE GEOGRAPHIC RANGE OF NOSEMA LOCUSTAE (MICROSPORIDIA) IN GRASSHOPPERS (ORTHOPTERA: ACRIDIDAE)

Abstract

Since its description by Canning (1953) from cultures of the African migratory locust, Locusta migratoria migratorioides (R. & F.), in England, Nosema locustae has been found in grasshoppers in southern Ontario, Canada (Smith 1965), and in most of the western United States (Henry 1969; Henry and Oma 1981). It probably was the unnamed organism noted earlier by Goodwin (1949) in locusts from Africa (Canning 1962). Thus, the known geographic range is England, central Canada, the western United States, and probably Africa. However, as Henry and Oma (1981) speculated, its known range undoubtedly will be extended as grasshoppers are examined from other locations. This report extends the geographic range of N. locustae to several locations in southern and central Saskatchewan.