Enhancing Performance of Bombyx mori L. via Nutrient-fortified Mulberry Leaves

The mulberry silkworm, Bombyx mori L., is a monophagous insect that depends exclusively on mulberry (Morus spp.) leaves for its nutritional requirements, which are critical for optimal growth, development and silk production. The nutritional quality of mulberry leaves directly influences larval performance, cocoon characteristics and silk yield. This review highlights the fundamental role of essential nutrients viz., carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, amino acids, vitamins, minerals and water in silkworm physiology. Deficiencies or imbalances in these components can adversely affect metabolic efficiency, increase disease susceptibility and reduce cocoon productivity. Recent advancements in feed fortification strategies, including the supplementation of mulberry leaves with probiotics (Lactobacillus, Bacillus spp.), plant extracts (Aloe vera, Ocimum nctum and Tinospora cordifolia), amino acids, vitamins, minerals and protein-rich additives, have shown significant improvements in larval weight, cocoon quality and silk gland development. Nutritional indices such as food consumption, digestibility and conversion efficiency provide quantitative measures of dietary effectiveness. Furthermore, nutritional interventions have been found beneficial in silkworm disease management, enhancing resistance to pathogens and reducing mortality. The synthesis of current findings underscores the importance of nutrient-enriched feeding protocols in sericulture, aiming to optimize rearing performance and improve the economic traits of silkworms. This comprehensive review provides insights into the nutritional requirements and supplementation strategies to support sustainable and high-yield sericulture practices

Reuse of Silkworm Litter as Liquid Manure to Mulberry: Assessing its Influence on Larval and Cocoon Traits of Silkworm (Bombyx mori L.)

The silkworm, Bombyx mori L., feeds on mulberry (Morus sp.), which serves as its sole food source. Hence, Mulberry growth and nutritional quality are critical for successful sericulture. With the increasing demand for sustainable agricultural practices particularly in rearing silkworms with chemical free mulberry leaves, the use of organic inputs has gained attention as an alternative to synthetic fertilizers. Silkworm litter, a by-product of silkworm rearing is rich in organic matter and essential nutrients, making it a potential resource for recycling into organic manure. This study explores the effectiveness of silkworm litter based liquid organic manure (SLLM) at different doses along with Recommended Dose of Fertilizers (RDF) in improving the growth and performance of silkworm along with enhanced cocoon quality and reeling parameters. The treatment RDF + Soil drenching of 250 l acre-1 of 20 % SLLM at 10 Days after pruning (DAP) + Foliar spray of 150 l acre-1 of 10 % SLLM at 25 DAP (T9) recorded maximum matured larval weight (43.42 g/10 larvae), less larval duration (21.65 days), minimum disease incidence (1.11 %) with maximum ERR (98.34 %). The cocoon parameters such as cocoon weight (2.49 g), cocoon shell ratio (23.54 %) and filament length (1394.43 m) were also found superior in T9. This shows that SLLM being liquid manure contained nutrients in readily available form which yielded quality mulberry leaves inturn enhancing silkworm growth, performance along with improved cocoon parameters

20-Hydroxyecdysone in Silkworm Biology: Molecular Mechanisms of Biosynthesis, Development and Biotechnological Applications

20-Hydroxyecdysone (20E), a crucial steroid hormone in insects, plays a multifaceted role in regulating the developmental, physiological, and metabolic processes of the silkworm Bombyx mori. This review comprehensively covers its function across distinct developmental stages—embryonic, larval, and pupal. During embryogenesis and larval development, 20E biosynthesis depends on the maternal 3-epimerization pathway and key enzymes such as ecdysone oxidase (BmEO) and 3DE-3β-reductase. Functional studies show that disruption of these genes results in reduced ecdysone levels, developmental arrest, and decreased hatching rates. Notably, noppera-bo (nobo-Bm), a glutathione S-transferase gene involved in ecdysteroidogenesis, shows over 10-fold higher expression in the ovary, and its loss-of-function mutations cause larval lethality due to impaired sterol utilization. Beyond development, 20E plays a vital role in immune modulation by inducing antimicrobial peptides via the Broad-Complex Z2 (Br-C Z2) transcription factor and facilitates genital disc differentiation through the MAPK signalling pathway. In applied sericulture, the expression of the baculovirus-derived EGT gene in transgenic silkworms suppresses 20E levels, leading to prolonged larval feeding, inhibition of pupation, and a significant increase in cocoon shell ratio, thereby enhancing silk yield. Collectively, these insights highlight the central regulatory role of 20E across silkworm development and physiology, and underscore its biotechnological potential for improving sericultural productivity

International Consensus Statement on Rhinology and Allergy: Rhinosinusitis

Background: The 5 years since the publication of the first International Consensus Statement on Allergy and Rhinology: Rhinosinusitis (ICAR‐RS) has witnessed foundational progress in our understanding and treatment of rhinologic disease. These advances are reflected within the more than 40 new topics covered within the ICAR‐RS‐2021 as well as updates to the original 140 topics. This executive summary consolidates the evidence‐based findings of the document. Methods: ICAR‐RS presents over 180 topics in the forms of evidence‐based reviews with recommendations (EBRRs), evidence‐based reviews, and literature reviews. The highest grade structured recommendations of the EBRR sections are summarized in this executive summary. Results: ICAR‐RS‐2021 covers 22 topics regarding the medical management of RS, which are grade A/B and are presented in the executive summary. Additionally, 4 topics regarding the surgical management of RS are grade A/B and are presented in the executive summary. Finally, a comprehensive evidence‐based management algorithm is provided. Conclusion: This ICAR‐RS‐2021 executive summary provides a compilation of the evidence‐based recommendations for medical and surgical treatment of the most common forms of RS