First Record of a Microsporidium in the Population of Brown Marmorated Stink Bug Halyomorpha halys (Stal, 1855) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) in the Republic of Georgia

The first record of a microsporidium from the population of the brown marmorated stink bug Halyomorpha halys (Stal, 1855) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) in West Georgia is reported and information on its occurrence and distribution is given. This entomopathogen was found in bugs from the Guria Region. Different stages of H. halys were inspected during the summer and autumn of 2018. Infection caused by the microsporidium was observed in the fat body of the first generation adults and nymph instar, as well as in the second generation of overwintering adults. Data on the occurrence and pathogen prevalence in bugs of different generations, collected at the same sample sites in different seasons of the year are also presented. The highest prevalence (62.9%) was documented in October.