Midgut Microflora of Pure Mysore (Multivoltine) and N$B_4D_2$ (Bivoltine) Silkworm (Bombyx mori L.) Races During Late Larval Instars

The qualitative and quantitative changes of bacterial flora associated with the Pure Mysore (Multivoltine) and NB$_4$D$_2$ (Bivoltine) silkworm (Bombyx modi L.) midgut during third, fourth and fifth instars were studied. Larvae reared on mulberry leaves were dissected and their midgut bacterial populations were enumerated through serial dilution technique and after 72 hrs of incubation period at 28 $\pm$ 1$^{\circ}C$, the bacterial population was estimated. The results showed a highest mean value of 15$\times$10/ sup 6/ sup 6/ CFU/g and 28$\times$10/ sup 6/ CFU/g in Pure Mysore and NB$_4$D$_2$races, respectively, in midgut tissue of fifth instar larvae. The natural epiphytic microflora of mulberry leaves fed during the respective instars was also studied and found maximum 14$\times$10$^3$ CFU/g in leaves fed in third instars, followed by 5.3$\times$10$^3$ CFU/g and 2.1$\times$10$^3$ CFU/g in leaves fed during fourth and fifth instars, respectively. The bacterial flora colonized in midgut was found to be elaborating amylase, caseinase, gelatinase, lipase and urease enzymes. The highest percentages of isolates were amylase producers followed by protein and lipid splitters in Pure Mysore, whereas in NB$_4$D$_2$ protein splitter were dominated followed by lipase and amylase producers in NB$_4$D$_2$. The results indicate that the natural microflora may play a vital role in the digestion of ingested food materials in silkworms.