First record of Ascogregarina taiwanensis (Apicomplexa: Lecudinidae) in North American Aedes albopictus.

Abstract

Aedes albopictus collected in the East St. Louis, Illinois, area were found infected with the gregarine protozoan, Ascogregarina taiwanensis. Infection rates varied from 67 to 95% at 4 sites and 0 to 10% at 2 others. Lower infection levels were found in Ae. epactius (42%) and Culex restuans (one larva). Four mosquito species were cross-infected in the laboratory with gregarines isolated from field-collected hosts. Aedes atropalpus was 90% susceptible to A. taiwanensis (100% in Ae. albopictus), with abnormal development and some melanization of trophozoites and gametocysts. In Ae. aegypti and Cx. restuans, the experimental infection was much lower (12-56%) and exhibited abnormalities similar to the Ae. atropalpus infections. Ascogregarina oocysts recovered from both Ae. aegypti and Ae. atropalpus hosts were subsequently infective to Ae. albopictus. In Ae. triseriatus, A. taiwanensis infection was very low (25%, 1-2 trophozoites per larva); gametocysts were not observed nor were infectious oocysts obtained. We conclude that A. taiwanensis, newly introduced to the USA with Ae. albopictus, can develop in 4 indigenous mosquito species and can produce deleterious effects in at least 2, Ae. aegypti and Ae. atropalpus.