Effect of leaf maturity and shade drying time on cocoon parameters of Bombyx mori larvae infected with bacterial flacherie

To determine the influence of leaf maturity and shade drying time on the incidence of bacterial flacherie disease, different grades of leaves (tender, medium mature and coarse) were used. Highest cocoon weight (1.47g), shell weight (0.36) and shell percentage (24.65%) was noticed when the bacteria infected batch fed with medium mature leaves without shade drying. Lowest cocoon weight (1.15g), shell weight (0.25g) and shell percentage (21.36%) was reported when bacteria infected larvae fed with coarse leaves shade dried for 3h. Minimum cocoon weight (1.31g) shell weight (0.30g) and shell percentage (22.91%) was recorded when the fourth instar larvae were reared with bacteria infected leaves and maximum cocoon weight (1.45g), shell weight (0.35g) and shell percentage (24.19%) was recorded when the larvae fed with uninfected leaves.