Effects of temperature and relative humidity on rearing performances of Eri Silkworm (Philosami aricini)

Abstract

Eri Silkworm (Philosamia ricini) is a delicate, domesticated insect which cannot tolerate diurnal and seasonal fluctuations in the environmental condition. The life cycle of silkworm is influenced by bio-ecological stress during larval period. Deviations in humidity and temperature levels below and above certain critical limits affect larval growth and development of Eri silkworm. In present study, several experiments were performed in four temperatures 20±3ºC, 24±3ºC, 28±3ºC and 32±3ºC each with three relative humidity 50%, 70% and 90% on rearing of Eri silkworm (Philosamiaricini) to study the effect of temperature and relative humidity on larval, cocoon and grainage parameter.Our findings clearly indicated that the 28±3ºC temperature and 70% relative humidity are the best for larval, cocoon and grainage parameter of Eri silkworm (Philosamia ricini).