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Sericulture

The document provides an overview of silkworm taxonomy, specifically Bombyx mori, and details its life cycle stages: eggs, larva, pupa, and adult. It discusses various diseases affecting silkworms, including viral, bacterial, protozoan, and fungal diseases, along with their symptoms and control measures. Additionally, it describes the requirements for rearing houses and essential equipment used in sericulture.

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9 views29 pages

Sericulture

The document provides an overview of silkworm taxonomy, specifically Bombyx mori, and details its life cycle stages: eggs, larva, pupa, and adult. It discusses various diseases affecting silkworms, including viral, bacterial, protozoan, and fungal diseases, along with their symptoms and control measures. Additionally, it describes the requirements for rearing houses and essential equipment used in sericulture.

Uploaded by

aryasrandomies06
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Silkworm taxonomy

 Phylum: Arthropoda
 Class: Insecta
 Order: Lepidoptera
 Genus: Bombyx
 Species: mori
Life cycle of Bombyx mori
Eggs
Larva
Pupa
Adult
Types of silkworm
Types of Silk
Types of Silk
Types of Silk
Types of Silk
Diseases in Silkworm

 Viral diseases
 Bacterial diseases
 Protozoan diseases
 Fungal diseases
Viral diseases

 Nucleo-polyhedrosis virus (NPV): Causes soft-bodied larvae and


liquefaction of the body.
 Symptoms:
•Larvae become soft and fragile.
•Body fluids turn cloudy, and the skin ruptures, releasing a foul odor.
•The larvae hang from branches in an inverted "V" shape.

•Control Measures:
•Use virus-free eggs certified by sericulture centers.
•Disinfect rearing equipment with 2% formalin or 0.5% bleaching powder.
•Avoid feeding wet or contaminated mulberry leaves.
•Properly ventilate the rearing area to reduce humidity.
Viral Diseases

 Flacherie disease:

•Symptoms:
•Larvae appear sluggish and refuse to feed.
•Vomiting and body discoloration occur.

•Control Measures:
•Ensure clean, dry feeding conditions.
•Use antiviral formulations (if available).
•Monitor larvae closely for early signs of infection.
Bacterial diseases

 Flacherie: Caused by streptococcus and Bacillus

•Symptoms:
•Larvae become weak, with discolored and wrinkled skin.
•Diarrhea and excretion of foul-smelling fluids.

•Control Measures:
•Disinfect equipment and rearing spaces with 0.5% bleaching powder.
•Feed only dry, clean mulberry leaves.
•Maintain low humidity and avoid water accumulation in the rearing area.
Bacterial diseases

 Septicemia: Caused by Pseudomonas


 Symptoms
 Larvae developed reddish or brownish skin
 High mortality in advanced stages
 Control measures:
 Avoid overcrowding and physical injury to larvae
 Isolate infected batches to prevent the spread of disease
Protozoan disease

 Pebrine: Caused by Nosema bombycis

•Symptoms:
•Larvae show reduced growth and vitality.
•Tiny black spots appear on the body.
•Moth reproduction rates are significantly reduced.

•Control Measures:
•Use pebrine-free eggs from trusted sources.
•Conduct microscopic screening of moths for spores before breeding.
•Destroy infected stocks and disinfect the rearing area.
Fungal Diseases

 Muscardine:
 Pathogens: Beauveria bassiana (white muscardine) or Metarhizium
anisopliae (green muscardine).
 Symptoms:
 Hard, mummified larvae covered in white or green fungal growth.
 Control Measures:
 Remove and burn infected larvae to prevent spore spread.
 Maintain low humidity (below 70%).
 Spray 2% formalin or 0.5% lime solution around rearing areas.
Rearing houses for sericulture

 Location : Built in a pollution-free area, away from factories and


busy roads
 Should be located in areas with adequate sunlight and ventilation.
Rearing houses for sericulture

 Structure and Design:


 Material: Walls are typically made of brick or mud, with a well-
plastered surface. Roofs may be tiled or made of asbestos sheets.
 Size: Depends on the scale of operation; a small-scale farmer might
require a room of 10x15 feet, while commercial units need much
larger spaces.
 Windows: Large, insect-proof windows with netting ensure proper
ventilation and prevent the entry of pests.
 Flooring: Cement or tiled floors for easy cleaning and disinfection.
Rearing houses for sericulture

 Environmental Control:
 Maintain temperature at 24–28°C and humidity at 70–85%.
 Provide proper ventilation to avoid accumulation of harmful gases.
 Use shading or heating devices to control temperature and
humidity.
Rearing houses for sericulture

 Sanitation:
 Floors, walls, and ceilings must be washable for regular cleaning.
 Rearing houses should be disinfected before introducing new
batches.
Equipments used in Sericulture

 1. Rearing Trays
 Material: Bamboo, wood, plastic, or aluminum.
 Use: To hold silkworms during different growth stages.
 Size: Typically circular or rectangular, with dimensions depending on
rearing needs.
 2. Rearing Stands
 Purpose: To hold multiple rearing trays in a stack, maximizing space.
 Design: Made of wood or metal, with provisions to adjust tray height
for easy handling.
Rearing trays and stands
Equipments used in Sericulture

 3. Chopping Board and Knife


 Purpose: To chop mulberry leaves into suitable sizes for silkworm
feeding.
 Material: Stainless steel or wood for durability and easy cleaning.
 4. Cleaning Nets
 Purpose: Used to remove silkworm excreta (frass) from the trays.
 Design: Nets with suitable mesh sizes to separate waste without
disturbing silkworms.
Equipments used in Sericulture

 5. Ant-Wells or Moats
 Purpose: Prevent ants and other pests from reaching silkworm trays.
 Design: Containers filled with water or oil placed under tray stands.
 6. Feeding Devices
 Used for distributing mulberry leaves uniformly across trays to
minimize manual handling and contamination.
Equipments used in Sericulture

 7. Hygrometers and Thermometers


 Purpose: To monitor humidity and temperature levels inside the
rearing house.
 Digital or Analog: Based on user preference and precision needs.
 8. Disinfection Equipment
 Sprayers: For applying disinfectants like formalin or bleaching
powder.
 UV Lamps: To sterilize equipment and reduce microbial
contamination.
Equipment used in Sericulture

 9. Cocoon Harvesting Tools


 Cocoon Racks: For storing and drying harvested cocoons.
 Sorting Trays: For grading cocoons based on quality and size.
Cocoon racks

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