A gregarine parasite (Apicomplexa: Protozoa) was observed in the population of daikon leaf beetle, Phaedon brassicae Baly, (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in Daegwallyeong. Gregarines are well known species-specific parasites of various Arthropoda. Based on 1.727kb of 18S rDNA sequence (FJ481523), this gregarine species was grouped in eugregarine and 5.258kb of full length rDNA replicon was cloned. We also observed interaction of tropozoite or gamonto of gregarine and epithelium of host midgut using scanning electron microscope. Although development of the infected host delayed half day in every larval stage, there was no significant difference in the development of daikon leaf beetle whether it is infected or not. Therefore, this gregarine parasite is not promising candidate for bio-insecticide in daikon leaf beetle.

• Ju Il Kim(Highland Agriculture Research Center, NICS, RDA)
• Jee Sun Min(School of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University)
• Si Hyeock Lee(School of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University)
• Min Kwon(Highland Agriculture Research Center, NICS, RDA)
• June Yeol Choi(Highland Agriculture Research Center, NICS, RDA)