Effect of Feeding Duration on Fifth Instar Silkworm Larvae on the Commercial Characteristics of Bombyx mori L.

The effect of feeding duration on fifth instar silkworm larvae on the commercial characteristics of Bombyx mori L. was investigated in the present experiment. The present study clearly indicates that larval duration in 5^th instar directly correlates with the commercial characters of cocoons. Maximum larval duration as well as maximum leaf feeding ensures maximum harvest. Silkworm larvae fed with mulberry leaves upto 3^rd day in 5^th instar resulted no cocoons in the mountages. Even after complete maturation of silkworm larvae, it is desirable to feed silkworm larvae even for an extra day; otherwise cocoon quality would be seriously affected.