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specific host. If this is true, the species of gregarine found in Lu . 

 diabolica during the present study is undescribed, since it has not 

 been reported by other workers. 



Microsporidians . Natural infections with microsporidians have 

 been reported in Lu. lainsoni (Fraiha and Ward), Lu. complexa 

 (Mangabeira), and Lu. maripaensis (Flock and Abonnenc) in the New 

 World, and in P. perniciosus in the Old World (Young and Lewis, 1977; 

 Canning, 1977). Infection rates were about 1% or less (Young and 

 Lewis, 1977). 



Microsporidia are obligate intracellular parasites of 

 invertebrates. Their life cycle comprises a period of asexual 

 proliferation by binary fission (schizogony) and sporulation in which 

 stages called sporonts undergo further division into sporoblasts, 

 which transform into spores. The thick-walled spore contains a coiled 

 polar filament, which under certain conditions is extruded and 

 attaches to a host cell (Fig. 2-26). The sarcoplasm is then conveyed 

 along the filament and invades the host cell (Canning, 1977). Some 

 microsporidian species cause high mortalities in their hosts under 

 laboratory conditions and show limited promise in biological control 

 (Canning, 1977). 



Mites . McConnell and Correa (1964) found mites of Ledermul leria 

 spp. (Stigmaeidae) attached to the abdomen and thorax of several 

 species of sand flies. Lewis and MacFarlane (1981) reported that 

 mites of 14 families, particularly Stigmaeidae, and at least 16 genera 

 and 21 species have been found on 39 species of sand flies. 

 Infestation rates were 0.1-9% or more (Lewis and MacFarlane, 1981). 

 According to these authors, mites may be phoretic, parasitic or both. 



