Life History Differences between Two Species of Gregarina in Tenebrio molitor Larvae

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Abstract
The life histories of 2 species of Gregarina, protozoans parasitizing Tenebrio molitor, were compared Gregarina cuneata occurred primarily in larger larvae, whereas Gragarina steini was distributed evenly throughout all sizes of larvae. As larval size increased, an increase in prevalence of G. cuneata preceded a more substantial increase in parasite relative density. Sample variance/relative density ratios of the 2 parasite species also differed. When host larvae were isolated in a sterile bran medium, the prevalence of G. cuneata decreased, whereas that of G. steini remained high. Trophozoites of G. cuneata were found predominantly in a paired condition, whereas trophozoites of G. steini typically were solitary.