Biological role of feed supplement 'serifeed' on nutritional parameters, cocoon characters and cocoon yield in silkworm, Bombyx mori L. (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae)

The feed supplement 'SERIFEED' dusted mulberry leaves (1g/sq.ft. bed area) were fed during 4th and 5th instars of silkworm at different feeding periods. The experiments carried out during 5th instar recorded increased ingesta in control, while digesta, approximate digestibility (AD), efficiency of conversion of ingesta (ECI) and growth rate (GR) increased significantly in the treated batches over the control. However, efficiency of conversion of digested food (ECD) and consumption index (CI) marginally increased over the control. Further, improvement in cocoon characters and cocoon yield were also recorded. Among the treatments, the feed supplement once in four feeds of day resulted in significant increase in the characters studied when compared with the control. The feed supplement 'SERIFEED' contains beneficial nutrients, which has a reflective effect on the biological parameters in the silkworm, Bombyx mori L. (Kolar Gold - PMx CSR2), and therefore has greater application in commercial sericulture