Effect of foliar application of linoleic acid on nutritive and economic characters of the mulberry silkworm, Bombyx Mori L.

Nutritive parameters have been studied in the silkworm, Bombyx mori by topical application of linoleic acid on a leaf diet. Linoleic acid supplement caused a decrease in ingestion, digestion and consumption indices and an increase in ECI, BCD and growth rates. Larval weight, cocoon weight, shell weight, silk gland- somatic index, fecundity and hatching percentage improved significantly despite lower consumption levels of linoleic acid enriched leaf. Greater reduction in consumption indices and improvement in economic characters at higher doses suggests the absorption and assimilation of linoleic acid into lipids of high nutritive value to the silkworm.