Genetics and Genomics of Bombyx mori L.

The mulberry silkworm, Bombyx mori L., is an economically important insect reared indoors for producing silk in several countries. Advances made in several aspects of silkworm genetic improvement are reviewed, including raw silk production, silkworm genomic and genetic resources, silkworm breed improvement programmes, breeding methods and silkworm breeds/hybrids (bivoltine and polyvoltine), which are covered in this chapter. Breeding for resistance/tolerance to abiotic (high temperature, high humidity, fluoride pollution) and biotic (BmNPV, BmBDV, BmIFV) stress and molecular approaches/strategies being utilized for silkworm breed improvement across the world is also included. This chapter provides insights into studies on genetic improvement for commercial exploitation of mulberry silkworm hybrids and future perspectives.