Antheraea proylei J, is an economically important silkworm of North
Eastern region of India reared for the production of the tasar silk. The
silkworm is often exposed to various microbial diseases caused by
bacteria and viruses. The disease causes significant damage to larvae
and elicit pupal mortality, thus posing a serious threat to the linked
economic activities. The gut microbiome of silkworms play an important
role, in nutrient acquisition and immunity. In this study, we have
reported molecular characterization and histopathological assessment of
gut associated bacteria of healthy and diseased tasar silkworms. As
compared to healthy silkworms, diseased infected silk glands shows loss
of turbidity, secretory layer not distinguishable to tunica propria and
lumen distorted. Both secretory and absorptive cells were found to be
hypertrophied. Body fat becomes vacuolated and soft when compared to the
healthy silkworms. Bacterial profile of healthy and diseased silkworm
respectively was identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and analysis.
Bacillus toyonensis and Bacillus thuringiensis were commonly found in
healthy larvae whereas Bacillus aryabhattai and Bacillus megaterium were
found in diseased larvae. The family Bacillus of phylum Firmicutes was
dominant in both healthy and diseased silkworms. To the best of our
knowledge, this is the first attempt to study A. proylei midgut
microbiota from a biodiversity hotspot in North Eastern India. The
present study might be helpful in disease prognosis and further
comprehensive analysis on midgut microflora may lead towards the
development of effective strategies for management of these economic
silkworms.