Mitteilungen der deutschen Gesellschaft für allgemeine und angewandte Entomologie (2004) 14, 245-248

D. Goertz, D. Onstad, D. Crowder and A. Linde (2004)
Modellierung des Einflusses von Insektenpathogenen (Mikrosporidien) auf die Populationsdynamik eines Forstschädlings, Lymantria dispar L.
[Modelling the influence of insect pathogens (Microsporidia) on the population dynamics of a forest pest insect, Lymantria dispar L.]
Mitteilungen der deutschen Gesellschaft für allgemeine und angewandte Entomologie 14, 245-248
Abstract: Different microsporidian isolates (Microsporidia) infecting European populations of gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar L. (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae), were sampled in an international cooperation during the last years. We performed different laboratory studies investigating the systematic position of the microsporidian isolates, the effects of an infection on gypsy moth larvae and small laboratory populations, and the horizontal and vertical transmission of these pathogens. Our results showed sublethal effects of the microsporidia such as prolonged development, moderate mortality, reduced fecundity, and hatch of the progeny. To get a better understanding of our lab studies we constructed a simulation model of difference equations, using the basic ideas of ANDERSON AND MAY (1981) and modifications by DWYER ET AL. (2000). Important features of our model were the seasonal development of the gypsy moth (DWYER ET AL., 2000), the latency period occurring after an infection with microsporidia, and two different transmission pathways. The results of our simulation experiments show the importance of the latency period and the duration of larval stage of susceptible hosts as well as the larval and pupal mortality of infected hosts, which all determine the survival of the pathogens und the growth of the host population.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
(original language: German)
Database assignments for author(s): Andreas Linde

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
population dynamics/epizootiology
transmission/dispersal

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Lymantria dispar
Nosema (genus - entomopathogens)	Lymantria dispar