Efficacy of Artificial Diet on Economic Parameters of ERI Silkworm (Samia ricini Donovan)

The study was conducted to evaluate the efficiency of artificial diet on rearing performance of eri silkworm. The results revealed that in case of total larval duration (D:H) and matured larval weight (g) castor (control) fed larvae recorded least larval duration of 18 ± 0.8 D:H and highest matured larval weight of 8.190 g. Followed by treatment receiving artificial diet from fifth instar recorded 25 ± 0.9 D:H and 4.140 g. However, treatments receiving artificial diet from third and fourth instar were found to be inferior and on par with each other. With respect to cocoon parameters viz., cocoon weight, pupal weight, shell weight and shell ratio it was noticed that larvae receiving artificial diet from third and fourth instar didn’t spin cocoons. Effective Rate of Rearing (ERR %) indicated the poor performance of artificial diet and it needs better optimization for improve the performance of eri silkworm.