Honey Bee and Mulberry Silkworm as Models for Studying Parthenogenesis and Polyploidy: Scientific Contribution of Academician B.L. Astaurov (14.10.1904–21.06.1974)

The honey bee (Apis mellifera) and the silkworm (Bombyx mori) are not only important agricultural targets but also valuable model organisms for biomedical and genetic research. They have unique characteristics that allow the study of different biological processes, such as parthenogenesis and polyploidy, which contribute to the development of new technologies in genetics and breeding. The works of academician B.L. Astaurov on the creation of fertile tetraploid lines of silkworms using artificial parthenogenesis laid the foundation for further research in the field of insect genetics, opening new horizons for industrial silk production. Modern research confirms the possibility of using parthenogenesis and polyploidy in bees to create stable breeds, increase productivity and protect against disease. According to Vavilov’s law of homologous series, forms of hereditary variability can arise in closely related species, expanding the prospects for further use of parthenogenesis and polyploidy in subspecies of bees. This phenomenon can be of great importance for breeding programmes aimed at improving the efficiency of beekeeping, which is particularly important under conditions of mass hybridisation. The introduction of methods of artificial oocyte activation for parthenogenesis (teletokia, arrenotokia), developed on the basis of approaches of B.L. Astaurov, can significantly increase the stability of silkworm and honeybee populations, which will contribute to the development of agricultural sustainability, molecular genetic breeding and conservation of biodiversity.