Insights into Apicomplexan Parasites: Exploring Diversity in Insects of Economic Importance

The largest group of invertebrates infested on land is the insects which plays many important roles in balancing the ecosystem. Some of them are helpful in pollination, producing the economically important byproducts; while some are the pests of different crop plants along with it most of themselves are the host of many protozoan (Apicomplexan) parasites. The Apicomplexa group is made up of lots of parasitic creatures, with over 6,000 species that we know of and probably even more that we haven't discovered yet. They all rely on hosts to survive, and nearly every kind of animal, including vertebrates like us and many invertebrates, can host at least one type of these parasites. Apicomplexans like Plasmodium are the common parasite of mosquito and human, causes malaria in humans which is having greatest impact on human health. Among insects, Orthoptera, Odonata, Blattodea, Diptera, and Coleoptera have been reported to be infected by gregarine parasites but most of other apicomplexan parasites of insects are not introduced well. Study of their diversity in insects is necessary to support Integrated Pest Management for the betterment of economy. Therefore, they have received great attention from many researchers, including those interested in the parasite-host coevolution, pathogenicity and protection of host from parasites as well as those interested in biological control of insects. In the present review diversity of Apicomplexan parasites from Phylum Arthropoda (Class- Insecta) is examined. Study of diversity of Apicomplexan parasites from insects with the help of their morphology will brings about the availability of conformational data for classification and systematic study of protozoan parasites of insects. Checklist made by studying the host parasite relationship of phylum Arthropoda and phylum Apicomplexa will help in maintaining them by IPM. Studying their coevolution with host & existence of new species recorded will help the protozoologist for its further study and encourage the new researchers for working in this area.