Protozoology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Kalyani, Kalyani, W.B., (India).
*Address for correspondencce: Division of Pansitology, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar-243 122, Bmilly, U.P. (India).
The role of temperature and relative humidity on the incidence of a microsporan parasite, Nosema sp. I, was studied. The temperature and relative humidity varying from 31.7° to 33.8°C and 97 to 100 per cent, respectively favoured the maximum sporulation and propagation of the parasite. The parasite was found in the gut epithelial cells and fat bodies of a coleopteran stored grain pest, Lophocateres pusillus. Spores were oval or ellipsoidal in shape and measured 3.0–4.6 μm x 1.6–2.9 μm (unfixed); 2.9–4.6 μm x 1.3–2.4 μm (fixed and stained). The length of the polar filament was 53.0–62.2 μm.
