Location and persistence of cadavers of gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar, containing Entomophaga maimaiga azygospores

Entomophaga maimaiga produces azygospores (=resting spores) within cadavers of late instar kgypsy moth, Lymantria dispar. Production of these spores and their deposition in overwintering sites was studied in a series of field experiments. Cadavers bearing azygospores were predominantly found attached to tree trunks while cadavers bearing only conidia were found on leaves, twigs, and branches. Only 11.1-42.7% of cadavers remained attached to tree trunks after 21 da. For 50% of cadavers present after 50 da, only part of the cadaver remained and this was tightly attached to the tree bark. From 4-21 days after cadavers fell to the ground, cadavers disappeared, supposedly disintegrating as azygospores were leached into the soil in association with rain. Cadaver disappearance was associated with the amount and frequency of rainfall. In summary, the majority of cadavers bearing azygospores are intact for only approximate to 1-2 month before decomposition.