The Importance of Proactive Approach to the Microscopic Laboratory Techniques for the Prevention and Control of Major Silkworm Diseases

Abstract

The aim of the paper was to highlight the importance and relevance of the proactive approach of microscopic laboratory techniques for prevention and control of major silkworm diseases thus contributing to the improvement of silkworm health and to augmentation of the sericulture production. The examinations were carried out by direct microscopy and laboratory diagnostic methods for specific diseases (bacterial, parasitic, mycotic and viral) according to the methodology of the OIE Manual, adapted to the conditions of the Laboratory of Genetics, Breeding and Pathology of Silkworms of S.C.S. Baneasa, Bucharest. Direct microscopical and bacterioscopic examinations were carried out to exclude the risk of the presence of pathogens in future generations selected for the conservation of the genetic background. Samples collected from the 84 breeds under conservation were subjected to direct microscopy and bacterioscopic examinations on two developmental stages of silkworms - egg and larval stage (L3). The results of the laboratory examinations required the elimination of inappropriate biological material from the reproduction, that allowed obtaining disease-free reproductive material of the best quality. In the present research paper, we demonstrated the importance of the proactive approach of microscopic laboratory techniques for prevention and control of major silkworm diseases in order to select breeds, lines and hybrids of silkworms with resistance to diseases owned by S.C.S. Baneasa, Bucharest.

Keywords

• contagious and non-contagious diseases
• laboratory diagnosis
• silkworms