Effect Of Coconut Milk Supplementation On Commercial Traits Of The Silkworm Bombyx Mori L

Abstract

The mulberry silkworm is essential to the economy and the growth of the nation. Silkworms are extremely delicate insects with a monophagous feeding behaviour that only eats mulberry leaves. The provision of sufficient quantity and quality nutrition is one of the most important factors in the success of silkworm farming. One essential physiological component that affects silkworm growth, development, and silk output is nutrition. Since it has been shown that the nutritional value of mulberry leaves affects not only larval growth and survival but also cocoon parameters. Therefore, the silkworm's (Bombyx mori L.) diet plays a role in the sericulture industry. Thus, one way to boost the silkworms' growth rate and the commercial traits of the cocoons is to feed them mulberry leaves that have been supplemented with nutritional additives. Milk, honey, vitamins, probiotics, amino acids, and other dietary supplements can help maintain and enhance the silkworm's general health and growth so that it can produce high-quality cocoons that fetch a better price. As the additional nutritional supplements are expected to promote the silkworms' overall growth and development in addition to the cocoon's commercial attributes, the investigation has been carried out by supplementing the mulberry leaves with coconut milk in 5 concentrations, i.e., from 1% to 5%, and noticed positive results inenhancing the commercial characteristics of silk cocoons.