Full Length Research Paper

Microsporidiosis of silkworm, Bombyx mori L. (Lepidoptera- bombycidae): A review

Shabir Ahmad Bhat^1*, Ifat Bashir²* and Afifa S. Kamili¹

¹Division of Sericulture, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and        Technology- Kashmir, Post box No. 674, G.P.O Srinagar-190001.

²Department of Sericulture, Govt. Degree College for Women, Anantnag, Kashmir (Jammu and Kashmir)-192101, India.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: bhat_shabir2003@yahoo.com . 

Accepted 7 December, 2009

   Abstract

Microsporidiosis of silkworm, Bombyx mori L. is one of the deadliest diseases caused by intracellular obligatory parasite. Infections of the disease range from chronic to highly virulent and can result in complete loss to the sericulture industry.  The disease has become increasingly more and more complex as more number of microsporidian strains / species infecting silkworms are being identified from India and other sericulture practicing countries of the world. These microsporidians differ in pathogenicity, rate of spread, transmission and multiplication. Therefore, an attempt has been made to review the literature on microsporodiosis of the silkworm B. mori L.

Key words:  Bombyx mori L, microsporidia, Nosema bombycis, ultra structure.