Role of feces and effects of simulated rain on horizontal transmission of the microsporidium, Nosema lymantriae.

Two main routes of horizontal transmission have been identified for the microsporidium, Nosema lymantriae Weiser, a frequently occurring pathogen of Lymantria dispar in Europe. Spores are released from 1) feces of living, infectious larvae after a latent period of approximately 2 weeks; and 2) the cadaver after host death.