• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.265-267
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• 2004

The silkworm, Bombyx mori L. is prone to infection of various pathogenic organisms. Pebrine, one of the deadliest disease of silkworm caused by highly virulent parasitic microsporidian, Nosema bombycis has been understood since long. Infections of the disease range from chronic to highly virulent and can result in complete lose to the sericulture industry. Several strains and species of microsporidians have since been isolated from the infected silkworms. A new microsporidian spore was isolated from Lamerin breed of the silkworm B. mori have been studied under scanning electron microscope, found to be different in spore size (length 4.36$\pm$0.06 ${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$, width 2.14$\pm$0.01${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$) and shape (ova cylindrical with slight depression) from standard strain N. bombycis (length 3.08$\pm$0.21 ${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$, width 2.01$\pm$0.05 ${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ and ovidal respectively). In immunological test, the silkworm breed Lamerin isolated micrisporidian spore does not react to different antibody (N. bombycis, M$_{11}$ and M$_{12}$) sensitized latex particle and thus appeared to be a different strain of microsporidian parasitic to the Lamerin breed of the silkworm B. mori.i.i.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.169-175
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• 2001

A synthetic juvenoid, R394 (Ethyl 9-cyclohexyl-3, 7-dimethyl-2, 4-nonadienoate) which is known to be a strong pest control agent was administered to silkworm, Bombyx mori L. in minute quantity for improving the silk yield. Based on the result of an earlier preliminary screening, three concentrations of the compound, viz., 0.1563, 0.3125, 31.25 nl/ml were prepared in the form of an emulsion and administered topically as a single dose, to separate batches of $5^{th}$ instar silkworm at 24, 48, 72 and 96 hrs to determine the required concentration and critical time of application for an economically favourable response. Two popular commercial silkworm hybrids, PM ${\times}$ NB4D2 (multivoltine${\times}$bivoltine) and KA${\times}$NB4D2 (bivoltine$\times$bivoltine) were subjected to the experiment. The medium and absolute control were maintained in parallel to compare the results. The results showed that 0.3125 nl/ml was the best concentration of the compound and 72 hrs of $5^{th}$instar was the most favourable age for its administration to get the maximum improvement in the commercial traits. The possible role of exogenous juvenoids in eliciting favourable response in silkworm which ultimately leads to improvement in the commercial traits is discussed.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.81-85
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• 2007

White Muscardine is the most common fungal disease of silkworm, Bombyx mori L. caused by the pathogenic fungus, Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin. In the present investigation, an attempt has been made to screen locally available medicinal/ weed plants against Beauveria bassiana. Among the plant extracts (PE) tested, 5% aqueous crude extract of the bulb of Allium sativum (Garlic) has been found to be most effective against Beauveria bassiana. The radial growth of Beauveria bassiana in vitro was inhibited to the tune of 54.9% in aqueous extract and 54.4% in ethanolic extract of Allium sativum and correspondingly mycelial dry weight gave rise to 110.7 mg and 108.7 mg against 201.7 mg in control 15 days post treatment. Similarly, silkworm larvae topically inoculated with the Beauveria bassiana conidia ($1.8{\times}10^6/ml$) registered survival up to 53.0% against 0.0% in control after treatment with aqueous extract of Allium sativum. Simultaneously, as a preventive measure, silkworm larvae were put to rear in conidia contaminated seat paper instantly treated with aqueous extract of Allium sativum that also increased survival up to 61.0% against 4.6% in control. It is also observed that the plant extract is absolutely innocuous to silkworm.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.149-153
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• 2001

The influence of baculovirus Bombyx mori Nuclear Polyhedrosis virus (BmNPV) infection on intermediary metabolic pathways in silkworm Bombyx mori L. was investigated. Studies revealed that NADP-linked malate dehydrogenase activity in hemolymph of infected silkworms at 96 hrs post infection (p.i.) with visible symptoms of infection was enhanced in comparison to healthy larvae of the same age. Also, NADP-dependent MDH activity was significantly lower in fat body cytosol of infected larvae at 96 hrs p.i. when compared to healthy larvae. Similarly, some biometabolic parameters like growth, protein content and cholesterol titer were observed to be influenced by baculovirus infection. While the growth of infected larvae was significantly retardedi protein content was also drastically reduced in both hemolymph and fat body tissues. Cholesterol titers however, was enhanced in infected larvae. The results observed herein point to a significant change in the normal biochemical and biometabolic pathways required for growth and development following BmNPV infection.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.135-139
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• 2001

Experiments were held in Egypt to test a new Package of practices for commercial cocoon production, including adding secondary macro and micronutrients to the mulberry garden, disease free rearing regime, low temperature rearing in young instars and natural mounting fur silkworms. This package for seed silkworm rearing lead to increase in fecundity by 67-121eggs (15.12-26.22%) and yield of standard boxes per 1 parent egg boxes by 57-58 egg boxes(48.33-51.66%) respectively in comparison th the traditional cocoon production technology.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.179-181
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• 2003

$F(ab`)_2$-ELISA and direct antigen coating-ELISA (DAC-ELISA) were evaluated in the detection of purified Bombyx mori nuclear polyhedrosis virus (BmNPV) and nuclear polyhedrosis virus infection in silkworm larvae inoculated with BmNPV polyhedra. Although nanogram levels of BmNPV was detected in both DAC- and $F(ab`)_2$-ELISA, similar concentrations of antigen was detected in case of F(ab’)$_2$-ELISA even at higher dilution of antibody (up to 1 : 20 K). One hundred percent nuclear polyhedrosis infection was detected 6 hrs after inoculation in BmNPV infected silkworm larvae by $F(ab`)_2$-ELISA. On the other hand, detection of 100% infection was observed only three days after inoculation in DAC-ELISA. In this study, it was observed $F(ab`)_2$-ELISA was more sensitive than DAC-ELISA in the detection of purified BmNPV as well as nuclear polyhedrosis infection in silkworm larvae.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.83-89
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• 2009

Multiplication and spore production of three microsporidia(Nosema bombycis, Nosema sp. 1 and Nosema sp. 2) in selected tissues of pupa and adult of silkworm, Bombyx mori L. were studied in two seasons (SI, SII) with distinct temperature (SI: $20.1{\pm}0.8^{\circ}C$ and SII: $25.1{\pm}0.7^{\circ}C$) regimes. Multiplication of the microsporidia followed a logistic pattern with a lag phase, an exponential phase and a stationary phase. In SII, spore production was significantly (P<0.01) higher in various tissues. Highest spore production was observed 30 days post inoculation (p.i.) in SI and in SII, it was $21{\sim}23$ days p.i. Spore production was significantly (P<0.01) higher in the gut tissues than other tissues. Nosema sp. 2 registered significantly (P<0.01) higher spore production in both the seasons compared to Nosema bombycis and Nosema sp. 1. Results indicate that the multiplication and spore production of microsporidia are tissue specific and extremely sensitive to the temperature at which the host is reared. Through this study, the precise day that the spore numbers of the microsporidia are maximized can be predicted in both pupa and adult in case the infection is initiated in the first instar.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.183-190
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• 2003

An attempt was made to identify superior bivoltine silkworm hybrid suitable for monsoon and spring season of Uttar Pradesh. Breeds with superior cocoon characters and their more popularity in an area were major parameters on basis of which breeds from different regions were selected. Six bivoltine hybrids of silkworm (Bombyx mori L.) of different geographical regions were reared in monsoon (three hybrids) and spring season (three hybrids) during 2000-2002 i.e., for three years at Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow. Their performances were analyzed statistically for nine characters. The analysis made on a number of traits viz., hatching percentage, larval duration, pupation rate, yield /10000 larvae (by no.), yield /10000 larvae (by weight), cocoon weight, cocoon shell weight, cocoon shell ratio, showed the superiority of one bivoltine hybrid out of the three bivoltine hybrids studied in each season. $SH6{\times}{NB_4}{D_2}$ was found to be superior in major cocoon parameters in both the seasons i.e., monsoon and spring season of Uttar Pradesh.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.59-63
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• 2004

By using PAGE, a study was made on the nonspecific esterase spectra of female genital organs and eggs in Bombyx mori L. The expression of 11 esterase bands was detected during ontogenesis of races and inter-races hybrids kept in Bulgaria. The gene activity of 9 esterase loci was assumed. Esterases specific for the spectrum of diapausing eggs were observed. In two esterase zones, intra- and inter-breed polymorphism was found. Based on the same breed specific expression, the existence of correspondence between esterase bands from spectra of different silkworm tissues and organs was suggested. Stage-specific expression of esterases in female genital glands, indicative of differentiated gene activity during ontogenesis, was established.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.131-134
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• 2009

The purpose of this study was to establish whether there are differences in the productivity of the same silkworm(Bombyx mori L.) parthenoclones, obtained by two different methods-thermal and combined, as well as to study their genotype structure by several enzyme loci. It was established that all individuals of parthenoclones Joana, Joana(${\downarrow}{\uparrow}$), Pohi and Pohi(${\downarrow}{\uparrow}$), are homozygous by the studied esterase and phosphoglucomutase loci, which substantiated the clones' genetic stability. By comparative analysis of some biological and technological properties, it was found that parthenoclone Pohi(${\downarrow}{\uparrow}$) obtained by low-high temperature activation is characterized by higher values of these properties as compared to parthenoclone Pohi obtained by thermal parthenogenesis. Comparing the two methods of inducing ameiotic parthenogenetic development, we would recommend that parthenoclone Joana is sustained by thermal parthenogenesis, and parthenoclone Pohi-by the combined method (low-high temperature).