Growing mulberry silkworm with аrtificial diet with added extract Tribulus terrestris L.

Tsvetelina Nikolova

Abstract: Growing silk butterflies is ancient and cost-effective sub-sectors of agriculture. A limiting factor in the growth of the larvae of the mulberry silk butterfly is the strong dependence on the nutritional needs and especially the seasonality and prevalence of the mulberry tree. Because of its biological and morphological features, Morus alba develops well and with high yields of high nutritional value but only at certain seasons of the year. Artificial feeding makes it possible to grow in any season of the year, regardless of outside climatic conditions. Some plant extracts are food stimulants and improve nutritional intake, growth, and even resistance to disease. The purpose of this study is to test breeds and hybrids created by them on susceptibility to artificial food supplemented with Tribulus terrestris L. as a stimulant, and to follow the most important biological, reproductive and technological features of silkworms and butterflies. Bombyx mori L. perceived artificial food with great willingness. High values were observed in the experimental groups, as well as an intensity of growth and vitality. As a result of the stimulating action of the extract, the number of eggs increased, unfertilized eggs were not observed as well as non-viable embryos in them.

Keywords: artificial diet; Bombyx mori L.; mulberry silkworm; Tribulus terrestris L.

Date published: 2020-10-19