Preliminary Report on Safety Evaluation of Entomopathogenic Nematodes (EPNs) and Symbiotic Bacteria on Silkworm

Background: Entopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) and their symbiotic bacteria are widely used as a natural pest enemy in agriculture and forestry pest control. The mulberry silkworm was fed by mulberry, and some mulberry was planted together with the farmland. In the process of using chemical pesticides to prevent and control field crop diseases and insect pests, mulberry leaf were polluted and the silkworms were poisoned. Aims: This research evaluated the safety of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) and their symbiotic bacteria, which may be used to control the mulberry pests. Study Design: Five Steinernema species and Xenorhabdus sp. SY5 were used to evaluate the safety to mulberry silkworm. Place and Duration of Study: College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, between May 2021 and September 2024. Methodology: Mulberry silkworm was exposed /fed with five Steinernema species / Xenorhabdus sp. SY5. The larval duration, mortality, cocoon shell ratio and pupation rate were record. Results: The results indicated that the larval duration, the mortality, the pupation rate and cocoon produce were different by exposing in different Steinernema species, but Xenorhabdus sp. SY5 was not affected on mulberry silkworm. Conclusions: The tested entomopathogenic nematodes and symbiotic bacteria had no significant effect on mulberry silkworm. Further evaluation will be expected to apply in mulberry pest control.