Effect of Fluoride on Behavioral and Some Biochemical Aspects of the Silkworm Bombyx mori L.

3 Abstract: The 96 hour LD obtained for silkworm Bombyx mori. L. in fifth instar was 27.5 mg/kg body weight. 50 When compared to controlled silkworm, the silkworm on exposure to lethal and sub lethal doses of fluoride exhibited an unusual manner in their behaviour. Quantitative levels of total protein, total free amino acids and protease activity in haemolymph and fat body of silkworm, Bombyx mori. L (PM X CSR ), treated with fluoride 2 was studied on second day of V instar and significant alterations were observed. Protease activity was significantly increased in both doses. It is confirmed that the unusual behavioral manner of silkworms, excessive protein breakdown and proteolysis is a good indicator of fluoride induced stress response in silkworm.