SYNERGISTIC EFFECT OF HONEY AND LEMON JUICE-ENRICHED MULBERRY DIETS ON THE GROWTH OF SILKWORM, BOMBYX MORI DURING METAMORPHOSIS

Abstract

Synergistic impact of honey and lemon juice-enriched mulberry diets on the growth of Bombyx mori was studied. The body size progressively increased during larval stage, but declined during pupal and adult stages. The nutrient diets promoted larval growth and positively modulated pupal and adult growth. The larval growth curves are typical Gompertz trajectories that reected the growth promoting nature of honey and lemon juice. The log-based growth curves were used to derive critical larval body size determinants that control molting and metamorphosis. The nutrient diets improved critical body size determinants without affecting their time schedules. The compound periodical growth rates showed instar-specic and stage-specic variations. The size specic growth rates in body mass, length and perimeter dimensions indicated the prevalence of an effective mass management mechanism as dened in the Hutchinson's investment principle. The silkworm recorded either higher or lower growth ratios indicating deviation from the Dyar's constancy rule.