Metagenomics analysis of the gut of Eri silkworm larva, Samia ricini

No study has been done to investigate the gut-microflora of S. ricini. Here, we investigated the diversity of gut bacteria of S. ricini using culture dependent approach coupled with generic characterization of cultivable bacteria using 16S rRNA probes and culture-independent approach by deploying metagenomics analysis through Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) of the V3-V4 region of 16S rRNA genes of gut bacteriome of this Lepidopteran insect. In particular, this work focused on the profiling of gut microbial community within the different compartments of the gut of S. ricini and tries to understand phylogenetic relationship of predominant gut microbiota of S. ricini with those of other Saturniid moths found in the same environment. This knowledge would raise the possibility of utilizing such information to enhance sustainability of commercial eri culture, for instance, through development of probiotic approaches to boost rearing of S. ricini.