Flacherie is a disease that infects silkworms, and its spelling may seem a bit perplexing at first glance. The word is pronounced "fla-sher-ee" (flæʃəri) and has its roots in the French language. The "fla" sound is a result of the "ch" in the French word being pronounced like "sh" in English. The second syllable, "-cherie," is pronounced with a soft "sh" sound, and the final "-ie" makes an "ee" sound. While the spelling may be tricky, the pronunciation is straightforward once the IPA phonetic transcription is understood.
Flacherie refers to a disease or disorder primarily affecting silkworms, which are the caterpillars of certain moth species, notably the Bombyx mori. The condition is caused by the infection of the larvae's hemolymph, the insect's equivalent to blood, by a specific pathogen known as the Nuclear Polyhedrosis Virus (NPV). Flacherie is characterized by the occurrence of acute digestive disturbances in the silkworms.
The signs and symptoms of flacherie include a loss of appetite, regurgitation, and eventually, a disintegration of the larvae's internal digestive organs. As a result, the silkworms become weak, lethargic, and progressively less mobile. They may also exhibit an abnormal coloration, notably a yellowish or pale appearance. Ultimately, the infection can lead to the death of the larvae.
Flacherie is a highly contagious disease, and its transmission can occur through various means, such as direct contact between infected and healthy larvae, or through the contamination of their food or living environment. It is particularly prevalent in silkworm-rearing facilities and can have significant economic implications in the silk industry.
Efforts to control flacherie typically involve preventive measures, such as maintaining strict hygiene standards in the rearing facilities and minimizing stress factors that can weaken the silkworms' immune systems. Furthermore, the usage of NPV-specific insecticides or antiviral treatments can be considered to limit the spread of the disease. These measures aim to minimize the losses caused by flacherie and ensure proper growth and development of the silkworms during their crucial pupal stage.
A microparasitic disease of silkworms.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "Flacherie" has its etymology in the French language. It is derived from the Old French word "flacor", which means weakness or feebleness. Over time, the word evolved into "flache" or "flacherie", which specifically refers to a disease that affects silkworms, causing weakness and eventually leading to their death.