Objective: To evaluate the performance of the silkworm when fed mulberry cultivars in different developmental phases. Material and Method: Developed at the Research and Development Unit of the Agência Paulista de Tecnologia dos Agronegócios da Secretaria de Abastecimento e Agricultura do Estado de São Paulo (APTAlSAA), Gália, Sp, Brazil, between 12/31/1997 and 05/06/1999. The experiment was started when Bombyx mori L. caterpillars in the 3'" instar, were fed two mulberry cultivars (1256/4 and Korin) in four vegetative phases of development (7, 10, 13 and 16 weeks); in the 5th instar, biological features and cocoon production were analyzed. Results: The analysis of each mulberry cultivar in the different developmental phases showed variations of the... |