Studies on evaluation and improvements of growth and economic parameters of Bombyx mori (L) influence under Mr2 leaves fortified with natural honey

Alagumanikumaran | Prema

Bombyx mori | Morus alba

Vol: 2; Iss: 6; Jun 16 | ISSN: 2454-5422

Silkworm is an important economic insect and also a tool to convert mulberry leaf protein into commercially valuable silk protein. To study the influence of the dietary supplementation of honey in different concentration on the larval growth and economic traits of Bombyx mori (L) commercial cross breed race L×CSR2 during its fifth instar. The fresh and pure honey was collected, it was diluted to different concentrations such as 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% (without dilution). Fresh mulberry leaves (Morus alba L) were fortified by each concentration and were fed to 5 th instar silkworm five times feeding /day. One group of larvae received MR2 leaves sprayed with distilled water as control, the remaining groups experiment I, and experiment II, experiment III and experiment IV were fed on different concentration of honey 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%. Silkworm fed on MR2 leaves sprayed with 25% diluted of honey (Experiment I) was significantly increased the larval growth rate of 0.457g/worm/day, cocoon weight 2.013g and Shell ratio 21.25 as compared to those fed on control and other experimental groups. Hence 25% diluted honey was fixed as effective dose. The honey has growth promoting effect on silkworm which helps to enhance the commercial values in sericulture.