The effect of mulberry leaves enrichment with different nutritional supplements on biological aspects and economic traits of silkworm, Bombyx mori (L.)

Hamzah, M. Kamel1; Abo laban, G.F.1 and M. M. Nabil2

Abstract

The presented study was carried out during spring season of 2016 at the laboratory of Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture AL-Azhar University. It was planned to evaluate the certain biological and economic parameters of (HoxKKxG2xV2) hybrid of silkworm, Bombyx mori (L.) fed on mulberry leaves Morus alba (Rose variety), supplemented with four types of protein sources (pollen grains, royal jelly,an amino acid and bee honey) during fourth and fifth instars of B.mori larvae, and to study the impact of these supplements on the larval duration, and cocoon, shell and pupal weight and shell ratio. Many studies were accomplished on the effects of mulberry leaves enrichment with protein supplements on certain biological and economic parameters. One of the alternative ways to improve the larval feeding is the enrichment of mulberry leaves with supplementary pollen grains, royal jelly, amino acid and bee honey. Obtained results showed that feeding of larvae on leaves supplemented by pollen grains, royal jelly, amino acid and bee honey increased fresh cocoon weight, cocoon shell weight; shell/ cocoon ratio. Also such feeding led to shorter larval duration and decreased larval mortality percentages.

Key words

mulberry leaves, nutritional supplements, biological aspects, Bombyx mori (L.)