Genomic Insights and Adaptation Mechanisms of Silkworms (Bombyx mori) Towards Pesticide Use

The indiscriminate use of organophosphate and pyrethroid insecticides in agriculture and sericulture has led to the development of resistance in Bombyx mori, the domesticated silkworm, posing challenges to silk production and agricultural sustainability. This review explores the complex resistance mechanisms employed by silkworms, including genetic adaptations, metabolic detoxification, and microbial symbiosis. Advances in high-throughput sequencing, such as microarrays and RNA-Seq, have identified key detoxification enzymes, gut microbial communities, and gene expression networks involved in resistance. The role of microbial symbionts in enhancing pesticide resistance through gut-mediated processes is discussed, along with the physiological and developmental impacts of sublethal exposure to newer insecticides like tolfenpyrad. The sequencing of the Bombyx mori genome has been a major milestone, revolutionizing research in genetics, molecular biology, and biotechnology, and offering insights into gene regulation under pesticide stress. Future strategies to improve pesticide resistance may involve microbiota manipulation, genetic engineering, and sustainable pest control practices. These insights not only have implications for sericulture but also provide broader applications for management of other lepidopteran pests.