Characterization and occurence of a microsporidium pathogen of Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Potato is an important nutrition source in our country as well as in many countries of the world. It?s one of the most preferred agricultural products because of its rich content, consistence of several climate conditions and various area of usage. Therefore it has also a significant economical importance.Colarodo potato beetle, Leptinotarsae decemlineata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) is one of the serious pests of potato. Chemical pesticides are used for control of this pest. Side-effects of these chemical pesticides complicate control of the beetles increasingly. In this study, characterization and occurrence of a microsporidium pathogen that infects L. decemlineata and its potential usage against Colarado potato beetle as a biological agent is revealed.The adults and larvae of L. decemlineata collected from four different localization of Trabzon (Akçaabat, Pelitli, Yeşiltepe and Yomra) were dissected and observed under light microscope. At the end of the studies a microsporidium infection is determined. As a result of the TEM studies, it is defined that observed pathogen in this study is Nosema leptinotarsae belonging Nosema genus. Spores of this pathogen are measured as 4.54 ± 0.5 (n= 4809) µm in length, 2.46 ± 0.3 (n=4878) µm in width. N. leptinotarsae infection is observed in gut, malpighian tubules and hemolymph of the pest.4 (1.61%) of 248 larvae, 28 (10.33%) of 271 adults from Akçaabat, 5 (2.1%) of 238 larvae and 7 (4,79%) of 146 adults from Pelitli, 9 (2.83%) of 317 adults from Yeşiltepe, 15 (7.28%) of 206 larvae and 2 (4.25%) of 47 adults from Yomra are infected by N. leptinotarsae.According to results of bioassay experiments realized by adults of L.decemlineata obtained from field studies, N.leptinotarsae infection was recorded. The rate of this infection is 62.8%.