R. Guncheva*

Department of Animal Husbandry – Non-ruminant Animals and Special Branches, Faculty of Agriculture, Trakiа University, 6000 Stara Zagora, Bulgaria

(Manuscript received 4 July 2024; accepted for publication 12 September 2024)

Abstract. The aim of this paper was to study the influence of the feeding frequency on the silkworm Bombyx mori L. development, based on the traits survival (%) and larval development duration (h), which are the basic biological characteristic. The study was conducted during 2020 at the Training Experimental Station of the Sericulture section of the Faculty of Agriculture at Trakia University. Two hybrid forms of the silkworm Bombyx mori L. “1013 x 20” (straight) and “20 x 1013” (reciprocal) were used. Two experimental groups were formed according to the number of mulberry leaf meals per day – two (1st experimental group) and four (2nd experimental group). The individuals of the reciprocal hybrid form in both analyzed cases demonstrated a relatively higher survival rate for the entire larval stage (93.89% and 85.92% on average for the 1st and 2nd experimental groups, respectively) compared to those of the straight hybrid form (70.55% and 83.2% on average for the 1st and 2nd experimental group, respectively). In the individuals of the two-time feeding regime, there is some delay in their general development by 48 hours on average compared to those on a four-time feeding regime, but this could be compensated for by increasing the amount of food offered. A significant effect (p≤0.05) of feeding frequency on survival was observed only in the late stages of the straight hybrid form. However, on the duration of the first and last instars the frequency of feeding had a highly significant effect (p≤0.001) in both analyzed hybrids.
The results obtained in the present study are a useful addition to the studies reflected in the literature regarding the possibilities of optimizing the frequency of feeding and its essential importance for the efficiency of silkworms rearing.

 BOMBYX MORI L., SILKWORMS, MULBERRY LEAF, FEEDING FREQUENCY, SURVIVAL, DEVELOPMENT DURATION