Comparison of the rearing effects of different artificial diets for young silkworm during different instars
Using 32 hybrid silkworm varieties fed with two kinds of artificial diets,the setae dispersion rates(SDR) at 24 h from the beginning of rearing were obtained.The results showed that the SDR of the new artificial diet(NAD) was statistically higher than that of the old artificial diet(OAD).The SDR of 21 hybrid silkworm varieties fed with NAD exceeded 98%,while only 6 ones with OAD.This suggested that the NAD widened the range of silkworm varieties,and was suitable for atificial diet.From comparison of the scores of rearing silkworm and the quality of cocoons by NAD-fed during different larval instars with that of by mulberry leaf-fed in the full larval stage,we conclude that it is feasible to feed the young silkworm with artificial diet before 2nd molting,then with mulberry leaves.