Occurrence of a microsporidium in the predatory beetle Calosoma sycophanta L. (Coleoptera: Carabidae)

Calosoma sycophanta L. (Coleoptera: Carabidae) is a voracious predatory beetle that feeds on several important lepidopteran pests. It is mass reared in laboratory breeding and released against forest pests. Any infection in this beetle is undesirable because it impacts production of effective and healthy beetles.