Silkworms Are Picky Eaters – Alternatives To Fresh Mulberry Leaves For Silkworm Survival
By Kate Scamvougeras Intermediate Category (Grades 9-10) Experiment | Agriculture
BCVSF Note: The required ethics forms have been submitted for this project.
Domestic Silkmoths (Bombyx Mori) are raised for silk production and reptile feed. Their larval food of choice is fresh White Mulberry leaves (Morus alba). This experiment tested alternative feeds, finding that fresh organic iceberg lettuce and frozen mulberry leaves were effective alternatives. Dandelion leaves and beetroot leaves were not.
