Silkworms (Bombyx mori) are poikilothermic organisms and are highly sensitive to environmental stressors, including ultraviolet (UV) radiation. This study investigates the impact of UV exposure on various morphological and economic traits of bivoltine silkworm breeds under different exposure durations (2, 5, and 10 minutes). To assess these effects, a two-way factorial design was implemented, considering both silkworm breed and UV exposure time as independent variables. The study examined key quantitative traits such as hatching percentage, cocoon weight, shell weight, pupation rate, and survivability. Statistical analysis using two-way ANOVA revealed highly significant effects (at the 0.1% level) of breed, UV exposure time, and their interactions on all physiological traits, highlighting breed-specific responses to UV-induced stress. Among the tested breeds, WB1HH exhibited relatively higher resilience, showing minimal reductions in performance and even improvements in larval weight and size. In contrast, CSR4 was the most susceptible, experiencing substantial declines in fecundity, survivability, and silk production traits. These findings emphasize the importance of breed selection and optimized rearing strategies to mitigate the negative effects of UV radiation on silkworm performance. The study provides valuable insights for improving silkworm management, particularly in regions with high UV exposure, contributing to sustainable sericulture practices

Silkworm (Bombyx mori), UV radiation, physiological traits, sericulture, mutation

This study highlights the significant impact of UV exposure on silkworm physiological traits, with variations observed across different breeds. Prolonged UV exposure resulted in reductions in hatching percentage, larval weight, silk cocoon weight, fecundity, and survival percentage, underscoring its detrimental effects on silkworm productivity. Among the tested breeds, WB1HH exhibited greater tolerance to UV stress, while CSR4 and SK7HH were more adversely affected. These findings emphasize the importance of selecting UV-resistant breeds and implementing protective measures during silkworm rearing to mitigate the adverse effects of UV radiation. Such strategies will be crucial for ensuring sustainable silk production in changing environmental conditions

Y. Surjalata Devi, Anowar Hossain, V. Lalremruatpuia and Raviraj V.S. (2024). Effect of UV Radiation on Physiological Performance of Silkworm Bombyx mori. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 16(6): 221-229