Adaptive Significance of Changes in the Biochemical Constituents of Haemolymph to Imposed Thermal Stress on Seleted Races of the Silkworm, Bombyx mori L.

Changes in the levels of protein and free amino acids in the haemolymph of three selected races of the silkworm, Bombyx mori viz., PM, $NB_4D_2$ and $CSR_2$, were investigated during 4th moult, 5th instar and pupal period. The levels of total protein in the haemolymph, increased from first day of 5th instar till sixth day. From seventh day till spinning, the protein levels decreased in all the three races. A sustained decrease in the haemolymph proteins was observed during the pupal development in all the three races. The levels of free amino acids, which were high during 4th moult, declined through the 5th age of larval development till spinning. PM showed a relatively higher free amino acid level (3.192 mg/ml) in haemolymph followed by $NB_4D_2$ (2.601 mg/ml) and $CSR_2$ (2.35 mg/ml). The free amino acid levels decreased gradually from prepupal stage but increased again at the end of pupal period. Racial differences in the changes in the levels of protein and free amino acids in the haemolymph were observed in the larvae and pupae when subjected to two high temperature regimes of $30^{\circ}C$ and $35^{\circ}C$. The results showed that high temperature induces specific changes in the metabolism (reversible thermal stress) that have different adaptive value in different races of the silkworm. Relatively higher increase in the free amino acid levels in the haemolymph of Pure Mysore presumably provides protective cover to tissues against high temperature by an increase in osmolarity and reduction in evaporative water loss. The absence of such a mechanism may be responsible for temperature susceptibility of the bivoltine races like $NB_4D_2$ and $CSR_2$.