Work

Flavonoid-Mediated Sex-Specific Fluorescence in Silkworm Cocoons: A Strain-Restricted Trait

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Flavonoids have been implicated in the formation of sex-discriminating fluorescent silkworm cocoons. However, their specific composition in these cocoons remain unexplored. In this study, flavonoid-targeted metabolomics was employed to profile the flavonoid composition of a sex-dependent fluorescent silkworm cocoon strain. Our results revealed comparable total flavonoid content between the violet and yellow fluorescent cocoons, but markedly different flavonoid composition, particularly in a subclass of flavonols. Moreover, four differential flavonoids, baimaside, luteolin-3',7-di-O-glucoside, quercetin 3,7-diglucoside, and spiraeoside, were identified, among which quercetin 3,7-diglucoside, the most abundant, with levels exceeding the others by an order of magnitude, emerged as the most promising biomarker for the sex-dependent fluorescent phenotypes. These findings pave the way for future investigations into the molecular basis of sex-dependent fluorescent cocoon formation and support the breeding of sex-discriminating fluorescent cocoons for high-quality silk production.

Source: Insects

DOI: 10.3390/insects17050509

Authors: Mingfa Ling, Rui Yang, Yalei Wang, Xiangbiao Liu, Yu Guo, Heying Qian, Huiduo Guo

Institutions: Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Sericultural Research Institute, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs

Language: English

Topic: Silkworms and Sericulture Research

Subfield: Insect Science

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,137

Funder: National Natural Science Foundation of China