Preliminary Studies on the Susceptibility of the Silkworm, Bombyx mori (Lepidoptera : Bombycidae), to Some Entomogenous Hyphomycetes

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Abstract
The susceptibility of the silkworm, Bombyx mori, to three isolates of entomogenous fungi, Beauveria bassiana (Bb A), B. bassiana (Bb 147), and Nomuraea rileyi (NRK), was investigated on six strains and their hybrid of the silkworm by topical application or by injection of different doses of fungus conidia or hyphal bodies. It was shown that the strain J124 was most susceptible to three fungus isolates and B. bassiana isolated from B. mori (Bb A) was more virulent to larvae of B. mori than that isolated from Ostrinia nubilalis (Bb 147). Clear differences of susceptibility were demonstrated among silkworm strains by topical application of fungi. However, there was no difference in susceptibility among the strains when fungi were injected. The result suggests that the integument is the main factor in susceptibility difference.