Influence of larval density as stress factor for rearing of CSR hybrid silkworms

Abstract

Newly evolved productive bivoltine hybrid CSR2 x CSRS rearing was conducted with differentie larval densities ranging from 50 larvae / sq.ft to 100 larvae / sq.ft in fifth instar. The cocoon character, a t cocoon yield and disease incidence was recorded with optimum rearing conditions as well as in the presence of 1 per cent infectious source (Flacherie and Grasserie). The results revealed that the cocoon characters were significantly improved and diseases incidence were reduced under low densityrearing (50 & 60 larvae/ sq.ft). However, there was no significant difference between 50 & 60 larvae/sq.ft. treatments with regard to spread of flacherie and grasserie