First Survey of Microsporidia Insect Parasites in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Microsporidia (phylum Microsporidia) are the most ubiquitous and abundant eukaryotic parasites of insects. These tiny (1-10 um) spore-forming intracellular parasites are related to fungi. They play important roles regulating insect populations and are economically important as biocontrol agents. They may also be devastating pathogens of beneficial insects. However, little is known about the distribution of microsporidia in natural populations of insects. We will undertake a survey for microsporidia in insect specimens sampled using Malaise traps. Preliminary studies suggest that propylene glycol used in these traps preserve morphology of spores for microscopy and their DNA for polymerase chain reaction amplification, the methods used for identification of microsporidia. We have already documented taxa new for science and previously unknown host associations. Continuing investigations will undoubtedly yield more new species and novel associations that will shed light on the phylogeny of the group and evolutionary history of insect-microsporidia interactions.