Tissue specificity and systematics of a Nosema in some species of Aedes, Anopheles, and Cules

Abstract

Studies of the host-parasite relationships of a Nosema in four species of mosquitoes showed that the primary sites of infection were: (1) Anopheles quadrimaculatus—accessory glands, brain, fat body, gut, Malpighian tubules, muscle, nerve ganglia, rectum, ventral diverticula, and the ventriculus; (2) Culex quinquefasciatus—fat body, gut, and Malpighian tubules; (3) Culex salinarius—fat body, gut, Malpighian tubules, and muscle; and (4) Aedes aegypti—brain and nerve ganglia. The variation in susceptibility of tissues in host species is interesting and illustrates the danger of differentiating Microsporidia solely on the basis of the sites of the infection in hosts. Since anopheline mosquitoes appear to be the primary hosts, the parasite might be useful in control programs for anopheline mosquitoes and/or the interruption of development of plasmodia in the female mosquito. The taxonomic placement is also discussed.