Most insect-pathogenic microsporidia infect tissues that enable the infective spores to exit the host through the feces. Tissues of the alimentary track (foregut, midgut and hindgut) are often infected, as are the Malpighian tubules (these function as the insect’s kidneys and exit into the hindgut). Some species only infect the fat body (metabolic) tissues and are spread when the insect dies and the body decomposes. Honey bee microsporidia infect the midgut tissues and are passed through the feces. Many microsporidian species are also passed from the female host to their offspring through the egg. Insects that are infected as embryos in the egg often die during the larval stage.
- Lee Solter, University of Illinois
