INFLUENCE OF ENDORETICULATUS SCHUBERGI (MICROSPORIDIA) ON GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF LYMANTRIA DISPAR (LEPIDOPTERA:LYMANTRIIDAE) LARVAE

The effects of midgut infection with the microsporidium Endoreticulatus schubergi on growth, development and food consumption of Lymantria dispar larvae were studied under laboratory conditions at different temperature. Neither fresh mass of pupae, nor weight gained during larval stages four and five, nor food consumption were significantly altered by infection. Rearing temperature (21° or 26°C) affected most parameters at least in female insects.