Grasserie disease of silkworm

Grasserie is viral disease in silkworm caused by nuclear polyhedrosis virus (NPV), Cytoplasmic
polyhedrosis virus (CPV) and infectious flacherie.
Nuclear polyhedrosis (NPV) is a major viral disease in silkworm. It is caused due to the presence
of high temperature, high humidity and feeding of poor quality mulberry leaves. It is highly
infectious
Symptoms
In the early larval stage of infection, it is difficult to detect the disease.
Microscopic examination of larvae may indicate the presence of polyhedral bodies
The course of NPV disease is relatively short. Time required from infection to onset for young
larvae is 3-4 days and grown larvae 4-6 days respectively. If infection occurs in the late 5th
instar, silkworm will die without cocooning, or become dead pupal cocoon and inside stained
cocoon after cocooning.
Characteristic symptoms of diseased silkworm are milky-white body wall, swollen body,
incessant crawling, easily bursting body wall, draining milky-white liquid.
Great amount of polyhedra are seen under the microscope. It is investigated that billion
polyhedra are existing in cells of a diseased silkworm died in the 5th instar (Figure 69).
As the disease advances, the larvae loose appetite and skin becomes shiny before moulting. The
inter-segment membrane becomes swollen.
The haemolymph or body fluid becomes turbid white.
Control measures for Grasserie
1. Rear the larvae under clean and hygienic condition.
2. Thorough disinfection of rearing room, appliances and surroundings.
3. Ensure proper disinfection of egg surface.
4. Incubate eggs under hygienic conditions.
5. Avoid touching with hands.
6. Provide suitable and timely feed during rearing.
7. Maintain proper spacing and adequate ventilation.
8. Pick out diseased, weak and injured larvae and destroy them properly.
9. Apply bed disinfectants as per recommended schedule and quantity.