Performance of five strains of silkworm (Bombyx mori L.) reared on three varieties of mulberry (Morus alba L.)

This study determines the adaptability of five silkworm hybrid strains to the prevailing temperature and relative humidity at Central Luzon State University and to compare the effect of three mulberry varieties used as food on the larval growth and cocoon weight of five silkworm strains. Results show that LBS1 x LBS2 generally performed better than the other strains used under the prevailing room temperature (19-28.5\u27C) and relative humidity (51-94 percent). Silkworm strain LBS1 x LBS2 also produced the heaviest cocoon, cocoon shell and were most efficient in converting the ingested food into body mass. However, PCNM2 x IUD registered the lowest larval mortality rate while LBS1 x LBS2 and LBS2 x LBS1 had the heaviest larval weight. Among the three mulberry varieties used as food, silkworms reared on Taiwan mulberry variety had the heaviest larvae, cocoon, cocoon shell and highest conversion efficiency