Vol. 13, Issue 7 (2024)

Author(s):
Sandhya N, Amarnatha N, Bharath KB and Sitara H

Abstract:
Bombyx mori L. is highly susceptible to the effect of pesticides even when applied at minimal quantity. However, the complete elimination of pesticide drift is impossible and insecticides that are employed in other crops, especially those that are applied through aerial spraying, can damage sericulture activity. The present study focused on effect of pesticides on rearing of silkworm and its biochemical and physiological changes due to residual nature of pesticides. The pesticide chlorfenapyr 10EC caused maximum larval mortality (13.93%), followed by novluron 10EC (12.35%), fenazaquin 10EC (11.17%), dinotefuron 20SG (9.39%). The results indicated that, novluron 10EC and chlorfenapyr 10EC were highly toxic even after waiting period. However, the rearing parameters recorded with dimethoate 30EC, carbofuron 3G, azadirechtin 0.03EC which were on par with control with water spray and absolute control. The biochemical and physiological parameters of the silkworm haemolymph recorded minimum with novluron 10EC except peroxidase enzyme which was recorded highest than other pesticides, that was reflected through the performance of silkworm reared on the leaves of treated plants. The larval, cocoon and biochemical parameters recorded significantly better values in those silkworms fed with leaves harvested from carbofuron 3G treated plants. The findings of present study clearly indicated that the insecticide carbofuron 3G was safe to silkworms followed by dimethoate 30EC and azadirachtin 0.03EC.