Use of Botanical Extracts as Antiviral Agents Against Tiger Band Disease of Indian Oak Tasar Silkworm

Oak tasar silkworms, Antherea proylei is prone to viral, bacterial, fungal, and protozoan infections due to its semi-domestication. Nuclear polyhedrosis viruses are known to cause the highest loss of cocoon yield. In the present study we evaluated the effect of botanical extracts from the leaves of Vitex negundo L. and Lantana camara L. to suppress the NPV virosis in tasar silkworm and increase the cocoon yield. In comparison to both infected and uninfected untreated control, the artificially infected silkworm, A. proylei larvae with AnprNPV, exhibited a significant increase in cocoon weight, shell weight, and shell ratiowhen treated with varying concentrations (1, 2, and 3%), of methanolic extract from Vitex negundo L. and Lantana camara L. leaves, with highest increase observed in both 3% methanolic extracts. Infected control(AnprNPV@106POBs/ml) recorded the lowest cocoon weight, shell ratio and shell weight. Moreover, theeconomic parameters are improved to optimal levels thereby making it applicable for enhancing qualityand quantity in sericulture.