REARING PERFORMANCE OF SILKWORM, BOMBYX MORI L. AFTER EXPOSURE OF EGGS AT DIFFERENT TEMPERATURES (BOMBYCIDAE)

With the exposure of newly laideggsofapromisingbivoltine hybrid silkworm, NB18 x P5, were subjected forincubation at three different temperatures (25,27 and 30°C) and the subsequent rearing performance was studied during the most adverse season of the year (April - May). Embryonic development was accelerated by higher temperature thereby reduced the incubation period. Higher incubation temperature exhibited early attainment of spinning phase and slight reduction of larval period. Results showed that egg incubation at 25°C exhibited maximum improvement of rearing parameters including reeling details followed by 27°C but significant (P<0.05) difference was recorded only for prespinning larval weight. Higher egg incubation temperature affected the rearing performance of silkworm.