The Strategy for the Development of Bio-Resources Utilizing Sericultural Products and Insects

Lee, Won-Chu,Kim, Iksoo Korean Society of Sericultural Science 2000 International Journal of Industrial Entomology Vol.1 No.2

Experiments related to the field of sericulture started in the years 1900, in Korea. The sericultural experimental station in Korea was first organized among agricultural fields in Korea, indicating that sericulture in Korea was regarded as an important field of agriculture. Sericulture has been devoted to a great deal for the improvement of Korean economy during the past 100 years even under the coarse social circumstances caused particularly by the Korean War, However, the traditional Korean sericulture, aimed to produce silk yarn, was weakened, because of several reasons such as diminishment in silk consumption, increased labor charge in Korea, and so on. After this difficulty time, the Korean sericulture was revolutionized by shifting into functional sericulture from 1995, and the Korean sericulture now plays an important role for the improvement of human health. Mulberry tree, silkworm, and silk have a boundless potential to be developed as resources. We expect the know-how obtained through silkworm research would expand to the other insect research too. Thus, an area of entomological industry is hoped to prosper owing to insect research as well as sericulture. Mulberry tree is known to possess many bio-active substances, so it can be utilized as a resource for substitute medicine and a raw material for the functional food. In addition, an invention of genetically engineered mulberry variety, which will produce more bioactive substances, is expected. Silkworm is one of the most extensively studied insect organisms on the genome so far, Thus, silkworm is expected to be an "insect bio-factory", enabling mass-production of useful proteins by transformation, in which useful foreign genes are assimilated into silkworm. Silk can be transformed into several phases, because it possesses useful functional groups, which are sensitive to chemical reaction. Also, because silk fibrin itself is protein, it has a superior applicability as tissue membrane. Due to this usefulness, many researchers are now working on the silk as food, cosmetic, medical resource, and bioengineering resource, and even an expanded application is expected using silk in the future. Until now, the researches on insects were largely focused on the prevention of the damage caused by pest, instead of a beneficial aspect. However, insects are thought to be the fourth natural resource in the world, possessing unlimited potential as world resources in the near future. Therefore, our entomological research effort should be focused on the subject with potential for industrialization. Such subject includes selecting the insect species useful for environmental evaluation, construction of environment-friendly agricultural ecosystem, pollen mediation, pet, and advanced bio-resources.

Studies on the Biological Attributes of Scelionid Egg Parasitoid Psix striaticeps (Dodd) for the Control of Stink Bug Canthecona furcellata (Wolff) in Sericulture

Singh, R.N. Korean Society of Sericultural Science 2002 International Journal of Industrial Entomology Vol.4 No.2

Scelionid eggParasitoids Play an important role in biological control of some economically important pentatomids. Stink bug (Canthecona furcellatta Wolff,) is an important predator of Tasar silkworm larvae (Antheraea mylitta D.) and causes 30-40 percent loss in tasar silk industry. Psix striaticeps (Scelionid: Hymenoptera) has been found to be an important egg parasitoid. The parasitization potential of f striaticeps is mere than 60 percent and the sex ratio is female oriented. Studies indicate that the maintenance of existing scelionid population by avoiding harmful practices and the augmentation of scelionids either directly releasing them in the field or by indirectly making the field environment more favorable for them is an important aspect to control the pentatomid population in sericulture. Female bias sex ratio is advantageous to increase the parasitoid population in the field. 24-hour-old egg of stink bug and one-day old parasitoid is suitable for producing maximum progeny. 1 : 30 of parasitoid: host ratio is needed to regulate the estimated population in silkworm rearing field.

Heat Stability and Glucose-Lowering Effect of 1-Deoxynojirimycin from Silkworm (Bombyx mori) extract Powder

Ryu, Kang-Sun,Lee, Heui-Sam,Kim, Kee-Young,Kim, Mi-Ja,Kang, Pil-Don Korean Society of Sericultural Science 2013 International Journal of Industrial Entomology Vol.27 No.2

Silkworm powder, which contains 1-deoxynojirimycin (DNJ), is a promising complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in Korea. Silkworm powder was produced from Yeonnokjam pupae at d 3 of the 5th instar at the National Academy of Agricultural Science. The powder was derivatized with 9-fluorenylmethyl chloroformate (FMOC-Cl), and the DNJ-FMOC content was measured by HPLC. We investigated the content of 1-DNJ in the silkworm powder and its glucose-lowering effect when it was treated at different temperatures. The content of 1-DNJ was the lowest at $150^{\circ}C$, while it was constant at other temperatures. The silkworm extract powder was orally administered to diabetic mice (20 mg/kg/d) for 4 wk. Water intake did not significantly change when compared with the control group (T0). The blood glucose levels significantly decreased when mice where administered silkworm powder treated at $60^{\circ}C$ (T60) compared to the control group, but no difference was observed between the groups T100 and T150. Moreover, the blood levels of TG significantly decreased compared with the control group. Based on these results, we surmise that the properties of the silkworm extract powder were stable upon heating at $100^{\circ}C$ but not at $150^{\circ}C$.

Sampling, Surveillance and Forecasting of Insect Population for Integrated Pest Management in Sericulture

Singh, R.N.,Maheshwari, M.,Saratchandra, B. Korean Society of Sericultural Science 2004 International Journal of Industrial Entomology Vol.8 No.1

Pest monitoring through field surveys and surveillance helps in forecasting the population build up of pest. It reduces the load of pesticides application and forms the basis of Integrated Pest Management in sericulture. Common sampling techniques for quantifying pest populations and damage caused by them are reviewed emphasizing the need for quick and simple sampling methods. Various direct and indirect sampling methods for establishing pest populations are discussed and methods have been discussed to use indirect sampling method under IPM programme in sericulture. The use of pheromone lures and traps forms one of the important ingredients of integrated pest management, which calls for integration of all available methods in a cost effective and environmental friendly manner offering consistent efficacy. Silk-worms feed on the variety of silk host plants and spin cocoons. Each silk host plant is attacked in the field by number of insect pest species. Several pests are common to mulberry, tasar, oak tasar, muga and eri host plant but pest status and seasonal abundance differs from each crop. The key pests are serious perennially occurring persistent species which cause considerable yield loss every year on large areas and require control measure. Regular occurrence of minor pest is noticed but sudden increase in its population is not known. The occasional pests are sporadic but potential causing sufficient damage. Silk losses due to attack of all the pests have not been calculated. However, information on pest biology and ecology, and control practices being practiced is available but the period of outbreak of major pests and predators on silkworms and its host plant needs to be reinvestigated. Pest and predators forecasting based on surveillance information may provide an opportunity to minimize the losses, particularly to reduce expenditure involved in pest management.

Serichlor, A New Disinfectant in Indian Sericulture

Balavenkatasubbaiah M.,Nataraju B.,Sharma S.D.,Selvakumar T.,Chandrasekharan K.,Rao P. Sudhakara Korean Society of Sericultural Science 2006 International Journal of Industrial Entomology Vol.12 No.1

Silkworm diseases are better prevented than cured. Disinfection and hygiene are the two important aspects in silkworm rearing to prevent the diseases. Suitable disinfectant is the primary need to disinfect the rearing house, its surroundings and appliances to eliminate the persistent pathogens from the rearing environment. In this direction, Serichlor, a new disinfectant in Indian Sericulture marketed as Serichlor-60 (contains 60,000 ppm of chlorine dioxide) and Serichlor-20 (contains 20,000 ppm of chlorine dioxide) has been evaluated for its germicidal effect against the pathogens of silkworm, viz., spores of Nosema bombycis, Bacillus thuringiensis, polyhedra of BmNPV and conidia of Beauveria bassiana both in vitro and in vivo. Results indicated that high concentration (2,500 ppm of chlorine dioxide) is required to kill all the pathogens at 100% level. The efficacy of the Serichlor was greatly enhanced by the addition of 0.5% slaked lime solution. 500 ppm of chlorine dioxide in 0.5% slaked lime solution was found effective against all the pathogens tested. This concentration of disinfectant was also found effective for disinfection of rearing house, rearing appliances and silkworm egg surface. The disinfectant is stable, non hazardous, least corrosive and most suitable for Indian Sericulture.

An Integrated Approach in the Pest Management in Sericulture

Singh, R.N.,Saratchandra, Beera Korean Society of Sericultural Science 2002 International Journal of Industrial Entomology Vol.5 No.2

The success of sericulture industry in India is mainly attributed to the well-planned annual sericultural activity and the systematic implementation of pest preventive and control measures. The insect spectrum of silkworm and its food plants is complex and plays a major role in limiting the production of silk. Insects cause extensive damage to plant whereas predators and parasites either kill the silkworm larvae or force them to spin flimsy cocoons. Unilateral control measure against this pest is mainly based on the use of synthetic organic insecticides. Though these approaches initially paid rich dividends, the undesirable consequences soon surfaced. Insecticide induced resurgence of gall midges, leafhopper, leaf roller, secondary pest out breaks and development of pest biotypes has led to realization of Integrated Pest Management in sericulture. Various components of IPM, viz. Host plant resistance, cultural practices, biological control, chemical control and integrating them at various technological levels have been studied. Sources of host plant resistance have been identified for some of the major insect pests. High yielding mulberry variety has been propagated and their resistances towards major pests have been recorded. Cultural practices like pruning, pollarding, judicious use of nitrogen, optimum spacing and weed management have preyed to be the powerful tools in containing pests. Natural control over the pest population build- up exerted by the wide range of parasitoids, predators and pathogens has been well documented with identification of natural enemies and studies on their potential. Augmentation, through inoculation or inundative releases of parasitic arthropods, is the most direct way of increasing the numbers of these beneficials in sericulture.

Effect of Pesticide Residue in Soil on Silkworm, Bombyx Mori L- Survey Analysis

Jyothi, N.B.,Prashant, N. Bavachikar,Maribashetty, V.G.,Radhakrishna, P.G. Korean Society of Sericultural Science 2019 International Journal of Industrial Entomology Vol.38 No.2

Silkworm larval mortality specifically during spinning stage leading to non-spinning with specific morphological symptoms was frequently complained by sericulturists in Karnataka, India during 2015. Survey was conducted and information collected through questionnaire from the identified farmers who faced the problem of non-spinning in both traditional and non-traditional areas of Karnataka. Survey results indicate that the problem is specific to the silkworm crop of those farmers' who shifted from other crops of agriculture/ horticulture/olericulture/ floriculture to Sericulture. Silkworm rearing performance of the batches fed with these leaves confirmed that the pesticide sprayed to the crops previous to mulberry, remain in the soil and when mulberry plantation is taken up in these gardens, the pesticide is absorbed by the roots of mulberry plants and transported to the leaves. Silkworms that feed on these mulberry leaves, grow and ripen normally but during spinning stage, larvae die with external symptoms like regurgitation, body shrinkage, rectal protrusion later become hook shaped leading to non-spinning or partial metamorphosis into pupa and death or spin flimsy cocoons. Larval mortality ranged from a minimum of twenty five percent to a maximum of hundred percent. The problem was noticed from the first harvest of leaves and lasted for a maximum period of 36 months. Cocoon crop loss depends on the concentration, duration and type of pesticides used previously for other crops.

Biological Control of Pests of Non-Mulberry Silkworms and Its Host Plants in India

Singh, R.N.,Maheshwari, M. Korean Society of Sericultural Science 2002 International Journal of Industrial Entomology Vol.4 No.2

The protection of silkworm and its host plants from various kinds of pests parasite and predator is a chronic problem in sericulture. Silkworms and its primary food plants are heavily damaged by large number of pest. The major pests of primary tasar food plants (Terminalia arjuna and Terminalia tomentosa) are the gall insect (Trioza fletcheri minor). Various species of aphids (Eutrichosiphum sp.) have been recorded to damage oak tasar food plants whereas muga silkworm host plants (Machilus bombycina and Litsaea polyantha) are generally attacked by stem bores (Zeuzera multistrigata). Castor (Ricinus communis) is one of the primary host plant of eri silkworm and extensive damage is caused by the castor white fly (Trialeurodes ricini). Insects pests are major enemies of silkworms. Parasites (Blepharipa zebina, Exorista bombycis, Apateles glomeratus), predators (Canthecona furcellata, Sycanus collaris, Hierodulla bipapilla), wasps (Vespa orientalix) and ants (Oecophylla smargdina) continues to cause damage to silk industry. It is estimated that the losses due to parasites and predators are to an extent of 15-20 percent and varies from crop to crop. The complexities in the behaviour and life cycle of pest population existing in semi ecosystem warrant a special attention for their effective management specially in changing scenario for our modern sericulture. Though use of synthetic insecticides has provided us with effective control of almost all major pests and predators, yet their undesirable side effects limit their continued use. Biological control is one of the most important method which can be used to control the pests, parasites and predators population in sericulture. Various potential parasitoids, which can be utilized as an agent of biological control in sericulture have been screened. The natural enemies of the uzi fly (E. bombycis and B. zebina ) are already present in the nature. Nesolynx thymus, Trichria sp., Splangia endius, Dirhinus sp., Trichopria sp., Trichomalopsis apanteloctena and Pediobius sp. are the major parasitoids effective against uzi fly pupa. The scelionid Psix striaticeps and Trissolcus sp. are the Potential egg Parasitoids against stink bug (Canthecona furcellata). Various other native natural potential parasitoids have been screened and suitable strategies have been developed to check the population of pest insect in sericulture.

Character Analysis of Silkworm Strains Registered as Genetic Stocks in Korea

Kang, Pil-Don,Kim, Kee-Young,Jung, I-Yoen,Kim, Mi-Ja,Jin, Byung-Rae,Kim, Ik-Soo Korean Society of Sericultural Science 2009 International Journal of Industrial Entomology Vol.19 No.1

In order for further systematic maintenance of silkworm stocks kept in Korea we analyzed character quality of a diverse array of silkworm strains originated from several sericulture-practicing countries. The analysis of about ten qualitative characters from 67 strains (13 of Japanese strains, 15 of Chinese strains, 14 of European strains, 6 of Korean and Tropical strains, and 19 of unknown origin) revealed a significant difference in the ten different qualitative characters among silkworm strains. In the analysis of quantitative characters, Japanese and European strains were highest in hatchability, the Korean and Tropical strains were highest in pupation rate, and unknown origin and Chinese strains were highest in cocoon yield and number of egg laid. With the connection of molecular genetic analysis the current data may provide the advanced ground for further systematic maintenance of valuable genetic resources of silkworms, although more breeds should be investigated for further complete pictures.

Influence of Different Treatment Regimes of Phytoecdysteroid on Silkworm, Bombyx mori L.

Kumar S. Nirmal,Nair K. Sashindran,Mondal Sumana Korean Society of Sericultural Science 2007 International Journal of Industrial Entomology Vol.14 No.1

The response of silkworm, Bombyx mori L. to phytoecdysteroid (PE) when administered at different ages of $5^{th}$ instar was studied in the popular bivoltine ($CSR2{\times}CSR4$) and multi${\times}$bivoltine ($PM{\times}CSR2$) silkworm hybrids, reared on the Victory-1 variety of mulberry leaves. PE was administered to $5^{th}$ instar silkworm per os at a rate of $250{\mu}g$ per 100 larvae to different batches of silkworm at 0, 24, 48, 72, 96, 120, 144 hrs and at the onset of cocoon spinning when a few larvae were ripe. The larval and mounting duration, cocoon yield and cocoon characters were influenced by PE. The intensity of influence was dependent on the time of application. The larvae treated at the beginning of the instar, improved the economic traits significantly with a marginal increase in larval duration. In the larvae treated at the middle of the instar, larval duration was shortened remarkably but the economic traits were adversely affected. This particular treatment can become a good management strategy in the case of mulberry leaf shortage or disease incidence. In the larvae treated at the onset of cocoon spinning, the mounting duration was substantially reduced without much effect on the cocoon traits which would be a big benefit in commercial sericulture. The physiological significance of varied response of silkworm to PE administration is discussed.