Published online by Cambridge University Press: 28 February 2007
Rearing temperature has an important influence on the efficiency of food utilization by larvae of the silkworm Bombyx mori L. To assess food intake and utilization efficiency in B. mori reared at different temperature combinations, larvae of Pure Mysore race were fed ad libitum on M5 mulberry leaves and reared at four different constant temperatures, viz. 26, 28, 30 and 32°C during instars I to III and combinations of these temperatures during later instars (IV and V). The larvae reared at 28°C (T2) when young and combinations of temperatures 26–26, 28–26, 30–26 and 32–26°C later were taken as controls. The amount of dry food consumed was significantly higher, but a significant decrease in conversion efficiencies (K1 and K2) was noticed in silkworms reared young at 28°C than at the other temperatures. However, the dry food consumed, food converted, assimilation rate and assimilation efficiency increased with the increasing temperature, and larval duration and conversion efficiency decreased significantly with the rise in temperature during both young- and late-instar rearing. Comparisons between these two ages with regard to food utilization parameters were carried out and the factors responsible for these changes are discussed.