Open AccessImpact of microsporidian infection on growth and development of silkworm Bombyx mori L. (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae)
Author(s) -
Sunil Kumar Gupta,
Zakir Hossain,
Madana Mohanan Nanu,
Kalidas Mondal
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
agriculture and natural resources
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.319
H-Index - 13
eISSN - 2468-1458
pISSN - 2452-316X
DOI - 10.1016/j.anres.2016.02.005
Subject(s) - bombyx mori , biology , sericulture , bombycidae , pupa , nosema , lepidoptera genitalia , larva , veterinary medicine , instar , microsporidia , fecundity , botany , spore , medicine , biochemistry , gene , population , demography , sociology
Several species and strains of microsporidia have been isolated from infected silkworms among which pebrine caused by Nosema bombycis Nageli is the most important. Infection from this disease causes severe economic loss in sericulture. Reduction of larval and pupal development and reduced weights in silkworms due to infection has been reported. In the present study, five microsporidian (Nosema) isolates from mulberry silkworm, Bombyx mori L. collected from different locations in West Bengal, India were sampled to study the impact of their infection on the growth and development of B. mori. The study revealed significant differences among the isolates in their ability to cause a reduction in the larval and pupal development of silkworm. Healthy larvae showed better body and tissue weights which were significantly higher than in infected lots. Among the isolates, M5 registered the maximum reduction in relative growth rate, larval silk gland tissue somatic index, larval male and female gonad tissue somatic index (GTSI) and pupal female GTSI compared to the healthy control. Male and female pupa treated with M5 spores died before emergence, suggesting that the M5 isolate was the most virulent