pébrine
Quick Summary
Pébrine is a contagious disease that affects silkworms and other caterpillars. It is caused by a microsporidian protozoan, specifically Nosema bombycis.1
This parasite attacks all tissues and developmental stages of the silkworm, from embryo to adult. In infected silkworms, small brown spots appear on the body. Diseased larvae may be unable to spin cocoons or spin them loosely, and they often die before pupating.2
The disease was identified by Louis Pasteur in 1865. He suggested that infected silkworm colonies should be destroyed and sanitation improved to control its spread.2
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
- microsporidian
…Nosema bombycis causes the disease pébrine in silkworms (see Nosema).
Read More…Nosema bombycis causes the disease pébrine in silkworms (see Nosema).
Read More - Nosema
…which causes the epidemic disease pébrine in silkworms, attacks all tissues and all developmental stages from embryo to adult. In advanced infections, small brown spots cover the body of the silkworm. Diseased larvae, which either are unable to spin cocoons or else spin them loosely, die without pupating. Louis Pasteur…
Read More…which causes the epidemic disease pébrine in silkworms, attacks all tissues and all developmental stages from embryo to adult. In advanced infections, small brown spots cover the body of the silkworm. Diseased larvae, which either are unable to spin cocoons or else spin them loosely, die without pupating. Louis Pasteur…
Read More