Influence of artificial diets and natural leaves in weight gain of silkworm larvae (<em>Bombyx mori</em> L.)

Abstract

The use of artificial diets in Japan is a well known fact. In Brazil experiments are assayed to find a balanced diet to meet the needs of the silkworm (Bombyx mori L.). Two mulberry cultivars were tested in diets to evaluate the quality of food by average gain of weight in larvae. Larvae were first separated in the first instar and fed with diets and natural leaves. As a rough estimate of mean gain of weight, initial and final weights in each instar were recorded. When the silkworms were fed with artificial diets in the first and second instars and with natural leaves in the third, fourth and fifth instars no significant differences were recorded. The use of diets in the first instars at the silk industry may be thus recommended.