Ultrastructural Study and Description of Ovavesicula popilliae N. G., N. Sp. (Microsporida: Pleistophoridae) from the Japanese Beetle, Popillia japonica (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae)1

Abstract

ABSTRACTA new genus and species of microsporidia, Ovavesicula popilliae n. g., n. sp., is described from the Japanese beetle, Popillia japonica, on the basis of studies by light and electron microscopy. Parasite development primarily occurs within the Malpighian tubules of larvae, and spores are formed in a sporophorous vesicle. Meronts have diplokaryotic nuclei, develop in direct contact with the host cell cytoplasm, and divide by binary fission. Sporonts have unpaired nuclei, develop within a thick sporophorous vesicle, and undergo synchronous nuclear divisions producing plasmodia with 2, 4, 8, 16, and 32 nuclei. Cytokinesis of sporogonial plasmodia does not occur until karyokinesis is complete with 32 nuclei. Intact sporophorous vesicles are ovoid, containing numerous secretory products, and are surrounded by a persistent two‐layered wall. The uninucleate spores are regularly formed in groups of 32, and the polar tube in each has six coils.