Infection, course of disease and action of Canningia tomici

The aim of the project is to investigate the action of the newly found microsporidium, Canningia tomici, in its host Tomicus piniperda. Specific topics are the course of disease resulting from horizontal transmission as well as resulting from vertical transmission. Furthermore, effects of C. tomici infection on life span (at 16 and 21C) and on fecundity of adult beetles and of its effects on larvae should be investigated. Examination of persistence, viability and of germination capability of C. tomici spores with regard to long term storage at different temperatures will show results with practical orientation. In addition, C. tomici may infect not only T. piniperda, but also other Tomicus species as well as other bark beetle species living coincident on pine, examination of host specificity of C. tomici is planned. Further aspect to be tested is check of effects of C. tomici on predatory species (Thanasimus formicarius), transferred by infected prey species. Completion of description of C. tomici should be performed by molecular characterization, using the 16S ribosomal gene.