Effect of Dichlorvos on Mulberry Silkworm and Silk Production in Laboratory

The sericulture industry relies on sustainable practices like, the cultivation of mulberry (Morus alba L.) and rearing of silkworms (Bombyx mori L.). Our investigation revealed the deleterious impact of dichlorvos on all stages of the B. mori life cycle. B. mori exposed to dichlorvos displayed stunted growth, incomplete metamorphosis, and severe deformities in larva, pupae and adult moths, including distorted wings and fur loss. Moreover, they exhibited abnormal behaviour, such as head shaking and erratic movements, leading to irregular silk thread patterns. Affected B. mori showed altered expression of microRNAs in silk glands, seventeen and thirteen microRNAs were upregulated and downregulated respectively in the posterior and middle silk glands of the affected B. mori compared to healthy ones. We hypothesized that the upregulation of bmo-miR-190-5p is related to the degradation of NGR B2 resulting in restlessness and uncontrolled head movements during spinning.