Multiple studies demonstrate that specific pathogens, such as the entomopathogenic fungus Entomophaga maimaiga and the nuclear polyhedrosis virus (LdMNPV), are key regulatory drivers capable of causing epizootics and population collapses in spongy (gypsy) moth populations.
The retrieved papers provide robust, consistent evidence that gypsy moth population dynamics and collapses are heavily regulated by specific pathogens, notably Entomophaga maimaiga and LdMNPV. Therefore, the claim is supported by the literature.