Aeromonas caviae CSB04, a Causal Organism of Bacterial Flacherie in Muga Silkworm ( Antheraea assamensis Helfer)

Muga silkworm, Antheraea assamensis Helfer is an indigenous golden silk producing lepidopteran insect endemic to Assam and adjoining north eastern states of India. The silkworm is generally reared outdoor and is thus prone to various infections caused by microorganisms. Bacterial flacherie is one of those diseases rapidly inhibiting the growth of the industry leading to an indiscriminate loss to native farmers of the region. Although many reports are available on the causal organisms of this particular disease, pathogens of human origin may also prove severe in this regard. An attempt has been made to detect the presence of Aeromonads in the gut of flacherie-infected muga silkworm.