Abstract
Fifth-instar larvae of Bombyx mori were reared on mulberry leaves having artificially depleted moistures of 60, 65 and 70%, which were regarded as treatments and a naturally occurring moisture of 76.62% regarded as control, during the wet part of summer (July–August) at a temperature of 27–32°C and humidity of 86–90%. Absolute consumption and growth rates/day/larva (measured as dry weight) increased with increasing percentage of leaf moisture. The quantity of dry matter consumed and digested, the values of efficiency of conversion of ingested food (ECI%) and efficiency of conversion of digested food (ECD%) and final larval weight increased significantly with increasing leaf water showing a high positive correlation. Approximate digestibility increased progressively up to 70% leaf moisture but was reduced at the control dietary water level. Larval duration was prolonged under low water content but without a corresponding increase in the quantity of leaf consumed, ECI% and ECD%. Conversely, a short larval duration with a high leaf moisture was associated with an increased quantity of food consumed, ECI% and ECD%, indicating a physiological adjustment of fifth-instar larvae of B. mori for quick growth and transformation to the next developmental stage during the wet part of the summer.
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