First results on distribution and occurrence of the insect pathogenic alga Helicosporidium sp. (Chlorophyta: Trebouxiophyceae) in the populations of the great spruce bark beetle, Dendroctonus micans (Kugelann) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Scolytinae)

This is the first study on the distribution and occurrence of Helicosporidium sp. in the populations of the great spruce bark beetle Dendroctonus micans (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Scolytinae) from different localities. Two hundred and eight of 2300 examined beetles were infected by Helicosporidium sp. In total infection rate was 9.04%. The infection reached 71.7%. The prevalence of Helicosporidium sp. infections in the examined beetles considerably differed between localities and years. The male beetles were infected to higher degree than female beetles in all investigated localities. These results revealed that Helicosporidium sp. is distributed by the infected host adults in the host populations among the localities during the flying period.