Tuesday, 19 November 2002
D0375

This presentation is part of : Display Presentations, Subsection Ce. Insect Pathology and Microbial Control

Comparative diagnosis of microsporidian infections in fire ant colonies by light microscopy techniques (Giemsa, Calcofluor, and Trichrome stains) and by PCR

Yuliya Y. Sokolova1, Irina A. Isakova2, James R. Fuxa2, Arthur R. Richter2, and Maynard L. Milks2. (1) All-Russian Institute for Plant Protection, Laboratory for Microbiological Control, St. Petersburg, Russia, (2) Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Department of Entomology, Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station, 404 Life Sciences Building, Baton Rouge, LA

The microsporidium Thelohania solenopsae is a natural pathogen of red imported fire ant (RIFA) Solenopsis invicta in South America and in the United States. It is a promising biocontrol agent and has been successfully introduced in several southern states. A major problem in field research is the detection of infection in S. invicta colonies. The only reliable method for detection of infections has been microscopic examination for spores after Giemsa staining of methanol-fixed samples. This method is somewhat reliable, but it results in many false negative diagnoses. Last decade several new methods of visualization of microsporidian spores on smears have been discovered, with Calcofluor and Modified Trichrome Staining the most preferable. PCR, mainly with primers amplifying RNA genes, also is widely used for the detection of microsporidia in humans and other primates. PCR is 100X more sensitive than light microscopy.

Species 1: Hymenoptera Formicidae Solenopsis invicta (red imported fire ant)
Keywords: Thelohania solenopsae, biological control

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