Morphological, ultrastructural, and molecular identification of a new microsporidian pathogen isolated from Crepidodera aurata (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae)

A new microsporidian pathogen isolated from Crepidodera aurata was identified based on morphological and ultrastructural characteristics, coupled with a molecular phylogenetic analysis. The spores of the microsporidian pathogen were slightly curved in shape, and measured 2.44–3.55 µm in length and 1.25–1.55 µm in width (n = 50). Its ultrastructure is characteristic of monokaryotic groups. All lifecycle stages of the pathogen, including meronts, sporonts, sporoblasts, and mature spores, are monokaryotic. The spore has 6–8 windings of the polar filament.