Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Silkworm Diseases and Pests

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Industrial Entomology

Abstract

Silkworm, Bombyx mori L is susceptible to mainly four diseases namely; Grasserie, Flacherie, Muscardine and Pebrine. The average silkworm crop loss in India due to diseases is to the tune of 15–47%, while it is 10–15% in other countries like Japan, China and Italy. Out of four diseases, Flacherie (33.88%) is the major killer in India. The incidence of silkworm diseases is more during autumn season (35–47%) than spring (15–20%) in North West India. Generally, bivoltine silkworms are more susceptible to diseases as compared to multivoltine silkworm breed. The important factors responcible for the high disease incidence during autumn season are higher pathgen load, wider fluctuation of temperature between day and night, higher humidity in the late stage of rearing and poor quality of mulberry leaves available for rearing in North West Indian condition. The most popular methods of disease control in silkworm cocoon crop are prophylactic by controlling pathogens in rearing rooms and preventing pathgen entry during rearing. There is no race of B. mori, totally resistant or immune to diseases and pests. Hence, proper disinfection is required to kill all the pathgens present in the rearing environment and to eliminate risk of disease transmission. Proper, effective and strict disinfection of rearing house, its surroundings, appliances and hygienic measures are most crucial as policy of “Prevention is better than cure” is best in silkworm rearing. The chapter deals with pathogen and pathogenesis of silkworm alonf with their prevention and control measures

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 189.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 249.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 249.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Aizawa K (1962) Antiviral substance of gut juice of silkworm Bombyx mori. J Insect Pathol 4:72–76

    Google Scholar 

  • Ansari MS, Basalingappa S (1987) Percent infestation of silkworm cocoons by dermestid beetle, Dermestid ater (Dermestidae:Coleoptera). Sericologia 27(4):587–592

    Google Scholar 

  • Arulmozhi M, Chandramohan N (1999) Population level and damage potential of dermestid beetle Dermestid ater in Tamil Nadu. National Semi Tropical Service UAS, Bangalore, p. 148

    Google Scholar 

  • Ayuzawa C, Sekido I, Yamakawa K, Sakurai U, Kurata S, Yaginuma Y, Takoro Y (1972) Hand book of silkworm rearing. Fuji Pub. Co. Ltd., Tokyo, p. 319

    Google Scholar 

  • Baig M, Sharma SD, Balavenkatasubbaih, Samson MV, Sasidharan TO, Noamani MKR (1991) Relative susceptibility of different races of silkworm, Bombyx mori L to nuclear polyhedrosis under natural and induced conditions. Sericologia 31(3):417–420

    Google Scholar 

  • Balavenkatasubbaih M, Chandrashekharan K, Sharma SD, Narsimha Nayak AR (2012a) Silkworm diseases and their control. Pamphlet published by CSR & TI, Central Silk Board, Mysore

    Google Scholar 

  • Balavenkatasubbaih M, Chandrashekharan K, Sharma SD, Narsimha Nayak AR (2012b) Disinfection and hygiene in silkworm rearing. Pamphlet published by CSR & TI, Central Silk Board, Mysore

    Google Scholar 

  • Bhagyalakshmi TA (1994) Host range and strain virulence of Aspergillus tamari Kita and its pathogenicity to different races of Bombyx mori L. M.Sc.(Seri.) thesis, University of Agriculture Sciences, Bangalore, pp 86

    Google Scholar 

  • Chinnaswamy KP, Devajah MC (1984) Susceptibility in different races of silkworm, Bombyx mori Linnaeus to aspergillosis caused by Aspergillus tamari Kita. Sericologia 24:513–517

    Google Scholar 

  • Chinnaswamy KP, Reddy DNR, Govindan R, Narayanaswamy TK (1986) Pathogenicity of Aspergillus tamari Kita to Dysichira mendosa Hubner (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae), a pest of mulberry. Entomon 11:67–68

    Google Scholar 

  • Geetabai M (1988) Pests of Bombyx mori (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae) in grainage and their control. Sericologia 28:379–382

    Google Scholar 

  • Govindhan R, Narayanaswamy TK, Devaiah MC (1998) Principles of silkworm pathology. Publication Series Scientific Publishers, Bangalore, p 420

    Google Scholar 

  • Gupta V, Jaiswal K, Gangwar SK, Dwivedi P, Srivastava A, Kumar R (2006) Disease susceptibility in different hybrid breeds of Bombyx mori L. in Uttar Pradesh climatic conditions. Proceedings of the “Regional Seminar on Prospects & problems of sericulture as an economic enterprise in north-west India”, Dehradun, India, pp 286–289

    Google Scholar 

  • Jaiswal K, Gangawar SK, Dhami SS (2003) Screening of popular bivoltine hybrides of silkworm, (Bombyx mori Linn.) in monsoon season of Uttar Pradesh climatic conditions. In Recent Researches on Indian Sericulture Industry, pp 108–112

    Google Scholar 

  • Jolly MS (1967) A brief report on wild sericigena in India with special reference to tasar culture. World Meet. Silk Prodn, Mourcia, pp 1–6

    Google Scholar 

  • Kawakami K (1982) Causal pathogens of Aspergillus disease of silkworm and its control. JAQR 15(3):185–190

    Google Scholar 

  • Krishnaswami S, Narasimhanna MN, Suryanarayan SK, Kumarajan S (1987) Sericulture manual 2-Silkworm rearing in FAO Manuals on Sericulture. United Nations, Rome, pp 102–129 (Reprinted by Central Silk Board, Bangalore, India)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kumar P, Jayaprakash CA, Singh BD, Sengupta K (1988) Studies on the biology of Dermestes ater (Dermestidae: Coleoptera), a pest of silkworm pupae and adults. Curr Sci 57(222):1253–1254

    Google Scholar 

  • Kumar P, Manjunath D, Datta RK (1993) Biological control of uzi fly. In: Proceedings of National Seminar Uzi fly and its control. KSSRDI, Bangalore, pp 91–106

    Google Scholar 

  • Lea HZ (1993) Principles and technique of silkworm breeding. ESCAP, United Nations, New York, p 114

    Google Scholar 

  • Manimegalai S, Chandramohan N (2005) Botanicals for the management of bacterial flacherie of silkworm, Bombyx mori L. Sericologia 45(1):55–58

    Google Scholar 

  • Nataraju B, Sathyaprasad K, Manjunath D, Aswani Kumar C (2005) Silkworm crop protection. Central Silk Board pp 61–85

    Google Scholar 

  • Narayanaswamy KC, Devaiah MC (1998) Silkworm uzi fly. Zen Publishers, Bangalore, p. 232

    Google Scholar 

  • Patil GM, Govindan R (1985) Beetles attacking silk cocoons and their control. Resham Krishi 7(12):15–17

    Google Scholar 

  • Rao CHN, Veeranna G, Prasad NR (1993) Studies on the infestation of Exorista sorbillans on Bombyx mori L- Incidence during monsoon season. In: Proceedings of National Seminar on Uzi fly and its control, KSSRDI, Bangalore, pp 49–56

    Google Scholar 

  • Samson MV, Chandrashekaraiah (1998) The concept of disease resistance and its relevance in silkworm breeding, In: Sreerama Reddy G (ed) Silkworm breeding. IBH Publishing Co. Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi, pp 149–158, 354

    Google Scholar 

  • Shekar MA, Sen AK, Sathyaprasad K, Katiyar RL, Rajadurai S, Datta RK (2000) A package for management of dermestid beetles in pierced cocoon storage rooms of commercial seed production centres. Seminar on sericulture technique annual appraisal, CSRTI, Mysore, India, pp 163

    Google Scholar 

  • Shubha MR (2000) Pests of silkworm grainage and their management. M.Sc. (Seri) thesis, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, pp. 72

    Google Scholar 

  • Siddappaji C (1985) Biology and management of the Indian uzi fly, Exorista sorbillans (Wiedemann) (Diptera:Tachinidae) a parasite of mulberry silkworm. PhD thesis, UAS, Bangalore, p 163

    Google Scholar 

  • Sriharan TP, Samson MV, Krishnaswami S, Datta RK (1971) Laboratory investigations on uzi fly Tricholyga bombycis Beck: a tachinid parasite of silkworm (Bombyx mori L) 1. Rearing and reproduction of the parasite. Indian J Seric 10:14–22

    Google Scholar 

  • Tanaka Y (1964) Sericology. Central Silk Board, Bombay, pp 277

    Google Scholar 

  • Tayal MK, Chauhan TPS, Siddiqui AA, Saraswat SB, Singh BD (2003) Role of dietary inorganic tissue salts to improve the disease resistance in silkworm Bombyx mori L.: an observation. In: Proceedings of the “National Seminar on Mulberry Sericulture research in India”. KSSRDI, Bangalore, 26–28 Nov 2001, pp 810–813

    Google Scholar 

  • Tayal MK, Chauhan TPS, Siddiqui AA, Mishra PN, Singh BD (2004) Response of inorganic salts supplementation on health status and tolerance in silkworm Bombyx mori L.: new approach in disease management. In: Proceedings of the “National Seminar on Disease & pest management in sericulture, Sericulture College, Chintamani, UAS, Bangalore, 12–13 Sept 2003, pp 137–142

    Google Scholar 

  • Tayal MK, Chauhan TPS, Mishra PN, Chakrabarti S (2006) Dietary supplementation of inorganic tissue salts in Bombyx mori L.: a new hope to stabilise autumn crop in North West India. In: Proceeding of the regional seminar on “prospect and problems of sericulture as an Economic enterprise in North West India”, 11–12 November 2006, Dehradun, pp 184–187

    Google Scholar 

  • Tayal MK, Chauhan TPS, Mishra PN (2007) Dietary supplementation of inorganic tissue salts and disease control in silkworm Bombyx mori L. J Seric 11–15(1,2):55–60

    Google Scholar 

  • Tayal MK, Chauhan TPS, Dhar A, Raina SK, Sahaf KA (2014) Strategy of disinfection and disease management in commercial rearing of silkworm Bombyx mori L. in sub tropics of north India. Abstract published in proceedings of 101st Indian Science Congress in section of Animal, Veterinary and fishery sciences, pp 131

    Google Scholar 

  • Tewary P, Tayal MK, Ahmad MN, Dhar SL, Sengupta D, Chakrabarti S, Khan MA (2006) Extent of damage to stored silkworm cocoon of Bombyx mori L. by Dermested beetles in North west India. In: Proceeding of the regional seminar on “prospect and problems of sericulture as an Economic enterprise in North West India”, Dehradun, 11–12 November 2006, pp 177–180

    Google Scholar 

  • Thiagarajan V, Govindaiah (1987) Menance of dermestid beetle in grainages. Indian Silk 26(3):26–27

    Google Scholar 

  • Tripathi PM, Gaur JP (1991) Intensity of different diseases in different seasons. Annual Report, Regional Sericultural Research Station, Central Silk Board, Shahaspur, Dehradun, India

    Google Scholar 

  • Vijayveer, Negi BK, Rao KM (1996) Dermestid beetles and some insect pests associated with stored silkworm cocoons in India, including a world list of dermestid species found attacking this commodity. J Stored Prod Res 32:69–89

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Watanabe H (2002) Genetic resistance of the silkworm, Bombyx mori to viral disease. Curr Sci 83:439–446

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors are thankful to the Central Silk Board, Bangalore, India, for getting an opportunity to learn and understand the core issues related to sericulture industry in general and Indian Sericulture in particular, which has helped us in writing this manuscript.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Regional Sericultural Research Station, Central Silk Board, Miransahib, Jammu, 181101, Jammu and Kashmir, India

    Mukesh K. Tayal

  2. Ex-Scientist, Central Silk Board, 21-A, Deshmeshpuri, Indira Gandhi Marg, Niranjanpur, Dehradun, 248171, Uttrakhand, India

    T. P. S. Chauhan

Authors
  1. Mukesh K. Tayal
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. T. P. S. Chauhan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mukesh K. Tayal .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Zoology, University of Lucknow, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India

    Omkar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2017 Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Tayal, M.K., Chauhan, T.P.S. (2017). Silkworm Diseases and Pests. In: Omkar (eds) Industrial Entomology. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-3304-9_9

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation