Characterization and identification of bacteria infecting Indian tropical Tasar Silkworm, Antheraea mylitta D

Abstract

Tropical tasar silkworm, Antheraea mylitta D., an economically important insect is affected by bacteriosis caused by bacteria, which accounts considerable loss of 10-15% to silk cocoon production. The aim of the present investigation was to isolation, characterization and identification of bacteria causing diseases in Indian tropical tasar silkworm, Antheraea mylitta D. Total 15 isolates of bacteria in two groups (8 from anal lip sealing diseased silkworms and 7 from rectal protrusion diseased worms) were isolated. The shape, size and colour of bacterial colony were recorded. The gram reaction of vegetative cells, its shape, size and pattern of reaction with different enzymes were observed for characterization of different bacterial isolates. Pathogenecity of these bacteria have shown that only two bacterial isolates coded SA3 and RP2 were responsible for anal lip sealing and rectal protrusion diseases, respectively in tasar silkworm. The bacterial isolates coded SA3 and RP2 on the basis of cultural, morphological and biochemical characters tentatively identified as Serratia sp. which were, close to Serratia nematodiphila and Serratia marcescens sub sp., respectively. The infection of anal lip sealing and rectal protrusion diseases in Indian tropical tasar silkworm caused by Serratia nematodiphila and Serratia marcescens was reported first time. © 2011 Academic Journals Inc.