Amiloride Enhances the Silk Production by Tasar silkworm, Antheraea mylitta (Daba TV)

Abstract

Amiloride is a triamino substituted pyrazine derivative. It is a potassium sparing diuretic, and helps in retaining more potassium in the body. It is also known to enhance hormonal levels. Growth and economic parameters of silkworms depend on quality of diet. Hormonal signalling pathways also play a major role in silkworm development. Diet rich in potassium enhanced the growth of silkworms. The present study deals with the effect on the growth and economic parameters of the tasar silkworm, Antheraea mylitta by dietary administration of amiloride. The worms were fed by foliar application with 1mM and 1.5mM of amiloride on the 4 th day of the 5 th instar larvae. Increase in protein and carbohydrate levels was observed in haemolymph, silkgland and fatbody after treatment. Significant increase in all the quantitative economic parameters such as; cocoon weight, larval weight, gland weight, shell weight, pupal weight and silk filament length were observed in the test group when compared with those of control. It was observed that the larvae treated with the drug reached spinning stage earlier than those of untreated ones. The present data shows that 1mM concentration of amiloride is favourable for increasing pupal weight and 1.5mM concentration for increasing the quantity of silk. Based on the results it can be concluded that the dietary supplementation of amiloride has a positive impact on silk yield.