Brief Study of Microsporidian Pathogens in the White Pine Weevil Pissodes strobi

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Abstract
A microsporidium, tentatively identified as Nosema sp., was found in living and dead larvae and adults of the white pine weevil, Pissodes strobi, following unexplained mortalities of this insect in Allegany County, Maryland. It produced a generalized infection, accompanied by extensive tissue destruction, but was noticed particularly in muscle, fat body, and gut wall tissues, as well as reproductive organs and Malpighian tubules. Microspores were ovoidal and 3.5–4.2×1.8–2.2 μm. Macrospores were ovoidal or reniform, 5.0–6.0×1.8–2.5 μm. Because the spores were found to occur in two size ranges, the possibility exists that two species were seen. The polar filament was up to 120 μm long (av. 80 μm). This parasite is much like both Nosema otiorrhynchi Weiser, 1951, and Nosema gasti (McLaughlin, 1969) n. comb., the latter an important pathogen of the boll weevil. This new parasite may play a significant role in mortalities of the white pine weevil. The desirability of exploring its potential as a biological control agent is suggested.

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