EFFECT OF SOME ADDITIVES TO MULBERRY LEAVES ON LARVAL HAEMOLYMPH OF SILKWORM (Bombyx mori L.)

Three levels (5, 10 and 15 gm) of ten powders and three concentrations (0.5%, 1% and 2%) of six liquids were used with mulberry leaves for feeding of 4th and 5th instars of local and imported silkworm. Their effects were studied on total soluble solids % (T.S.S.%) and total counts of haemocytes (T.C.H.)/mm3 haemolymph of 5th instar of silkworm larvae. The used tested powders were: glucose, fructose, sucrose, white or brown, soya, skim milk and their mixture (1:1), soya plus pollen (1:1), yeast and foliar fertilizer, while liquid treatments were: bee honey from Assiut or Sohag, chloral hydrate, foliar fertilizer, potassium iodide and ammonium chloride. Different responses in (T.S.S.%) and (T.C.H.) were noticed between local and imported silkworm, with respect to the effect of tested powder and liquid treatments. In powder treatments, maximum increment in (T.S.S.%) and (T.C.H.), in larval haemolymph of local silkworm was observed in skim milk treatment or its mixture with soya, while less effect was noticed in foliar fertilizer treatment. Sugars and soya plus skim milk showed maximum increment of (T.S.S.%) and (T.C.H.) in imported silkworm. T.S.S.% and T.C.H. in powder or liquid treatments were less in imported silkworm as compared with local ones. Liquid treatments with honey, ammonium chloride and chloral hydrate showed positive effect on (T.S.S.%) and (T.C.H./mm3 haemolymph) in local and imported silkworm. Detailed statistical analysis of obtained data was conducted and differences between strains and treatments were discussed.