A Review on Microsporidia Causing Pebrine Disease in Mulberry Silkworm (Bombyx mori L.)
Yashaswini B R
Department of Sericulture, College of Agriculture, UAS, GKVK, Bengaluru, India.
Sushmitha C *
Department of Sericulture, College of Agriculture, UAS, GKVK, Bengaluru, India.
K. Neeharika
Department of Crop Physiology, College of Agriculture, UAS, GKVK, Bengaluru, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The major constraints in silk cocoon production are occurrence of the diseases in silkworm. Silkworm, Bombyx mori L. is poikilothermic hence, it is unable to regulate its body temperature. So, even minute changes in the rearing environment makes the silkworm susceptible to many viral, bacterial, fungal and protozoan diseases. Pebrine (protozoan disease) is a major disease of the silkworm, B. mori caused by microsporidian parasite, Nosema bombycis N. Microsporidian disease remained as a threat to the silk industry since time immemorial, because it is the only disease of silkworm which is transmitted both vertically and horizontally. The literature reveals that, the disease has become more complex now because of the occurrence of different strains, alternate hosts and cross infectivity of microsporidians. So, development of early detection and elimination techniques of pebrine disease is essential for sustenance of cocoon crop production.
Keywords: Mulberry silkworm, microsporidia, pebrine disease, parasite