Studies on Natural and Experimental Nucleopolyhedrovirus Infection of the Silkworm, Bombyx mori (Race: PMCSR2(SL)) by PCR

Abstract

The silkworm, Bombyx mori L. (Bombicidae: Lepidoptera), basically a nocturnal moth, is a native of China but has long been domesticated throughout the world. The life cycle of silkworms includes various stages, viz. eggs, larval instars, pupa within silky cocoons, and adult moths. Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV), one of the best characterized baculoviruses, is an important pathogen in silkworms. The viral diseases are difficult to manage due to the very short life cycle of silkworms. One of the most effective solutions is the timely detection of such infections so as to stop the spread of the viral disease. In the present study, we determined the specific nucleopolyhedrovirus ~738 base pair amplified from isolated viral DNA by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique.