Barkesseru (Ailanthus excelsa Roxb.), an ideal substitute for castor to rear eri silkworm, Samia cynthia ricini Boisduval.

摘要

An experiment was conducted to study barkesseru as an ideal substitute for castor bean and tapioca to rear eri silkworm (brick red and white cocoon breeds) during fifth instar, which is evaluated based on amylase activity and its relationship with consumption indices and economic parameters. The activity of both digestive and haemolymph amylases, the consumption indices and economic parameters were higher or superior when larvae of eri silkworm were provided with castor bean or barkesseru leaves during fifth instar, indicating barkesseru as a good substitute for castor bean..