Indian meal moth, Plodia interpunctella (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) is the dominant pest on the stored products throughout the world. As an alternative to chemical insecticides, entomopathogens can be natural suppressors for pest populations. For this reason, the study of entomopathogens existing in the natural population of a pest contributes to the decision-making process of controlling that pest. In the present study, characterization, distribution, and virulence of protistan entomopathogen, the Turkish strain of Mattesia dispora in the Indian meal moth, Plodia interpunctella populations were presented. During the microscopic observations, a protistan entomopathogen was found in the populations of P. interpunctella in Turkey. It was identified as the Turkish strain of Mattesia dispora, a neogregarine pathogen. Typical fresh navicular oocysts of the pathogen were 13.28 ± 0.41 (13.1–14.41) μm in length and 7.72 ± 0.51 (6.6–8.54) μm in width (n = 50). Oocysts stained with Giemsa measured 12.32 ± 0.78 (10.88–13.24) μm in length and 7.01 ± 0.26 (6.5–7.43) μm in width. Polar plugs were recognizable clearly by light and electron microscopy, measuring 900 to 1100 nm. The oocyst wall was quite thick, measuring 600 to 800 nm. Each oocyst contained 8 sporozoites. 2.047 dead and 413 living larvae, 932 adults, and 40 pupae, collected from 14 different locations from 2019 to 2021 were examined for the presence of the protistan entomopathogen. In total, 225 of 3.432 P. interpunctella adult and larvae were found to be infected with this pathogen. Total infection occurred as 5.2 for M. dispora. Infection rates by M. dispora were 4.8% for dead larvae, 14.8% for living larvae, and 2.1% for adults. On the other hand, M. dispora infections reached 33% in some populations. M. dispora infections were observed in the seven (50%) of the examined populations. Furthermore, the Turkish strain of M. dispora had a high pathogenic effect against the second/third instar larvae of P. interpunctella. The average mortality rate was 98.33%. Little is known about neogregarine infections as a natural suppressing factor in pest populations. The Turkish strain of M. dispora is very common and widespread in the populations of P. interpunctella. Furthermore, it has very high virulence on the P. interpunctella larvae. Such a widespread infection and very high virulence are desirable properties for a biological control agent. The results indicate that M. dispora can be an important natural suppressing protistan entomopathogen in P. interpunctella populations.

中文翻译：

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印度粉蛾、Plodia interpunctella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) 种群中原生昆虫病原体、Mattesia dispora (Sporozoa、Gregarina) 的特征、分布和毒力

印度粉蛾，Plodia interpunctella (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) 是全世界储存产品的主要害虫。作为化学杀虫剂的替代品，昆虫病原体可以成为害虫种群的天然抑制剂。因此，对害虫自然种群中存在的昆虫病原体的研究有助于控制该害虫的决策过程。在本研究中，介绍了原生昆虫病原体的特性、分布和毒力，土耳其菌株 Mattesia dispora 在印度粉蛾，Plodia interpunctella 种群中进行了介绍。在显微镜观察期间，在土耳其的 P. interpunctella 种群中发现了一种原生昆虫病原体。它被确定为土耳其菌株 Mattesia dispora，一种新白斑病原菌。病原体的典型新鲜舟状卵囊长度为 13.28 ± 0.41 (13.1-14.41) μm，宽度为 7.72 ± 0.51 (6.6-8.54) μm (n = 50)。用 Giemsa 染色的卵囊长度为 12.32 ± 0.78 (10.88–13.24) μm，宽度为 7.01 ± 0.26 (6.5–7.43) μm。通过光学和电子显微镜可以清楚地识别极性插头，测量范围为 900 至 1100 nm。卵囊壁相当厚，测量值为 600 至 800 nm。每个卵囊含有 8 个子孢子。对 2019 年至 2021 年从 14 个不同地点收集的 2.047 只死幼虫和 413 只活幼虫、932 只成虫和 40 只蛹进行了检测，以了解原生昆虫病原体的存在。总共发现 3.432 只 P. interpunctella 成虫和幼虫中的 225 只感染了这种病原体。M. dispora 的总感染率为 5.2。M. dispora 对死亡幼虫的感染率为 4.8%，14。活幼虫为 8%，成虫为 2.1%。另一方面，在某些人群中，M. dispora 感染达到 33%。在 7 个 (50%) 被检查的人群中观察到 M. dispora 感染。此外，土耳其菌株 M. dispora 对 P. interpunctella 的二龄/三龄幼虫具有很高的致病作用。平均死亡率为98.33%。关于新聚簇虫感染作为害虫种群的天然抑制因素知之甚少。M. dispora 的土耳其菌株在 P. interpunctella 种群中非常常见和广泛。此外，它对 P. interpunctella 幼虫具有很高的毒力。这种广泛的感染和非常高的毒力是生物防治剂的理想特性。结果表明，M。