How to mix nutritional formulas for silkworms in summer and autumn

The main feed for silkworms is mulberry leaves. Since the quality of mulberry leaves varies greatly between seasons, it has a considerable impact on cocoon yield and quality. If nutritional supplements are fed to silkworms raised in summer and autumn, the yield can increase by 10%-20%. The formula techniques are introduced as follows:

1. Supplement formulas and feeding methods

1. Glucose solution additive. During the silkworm rearing period, if there is continuous rainy weather, the mulberry leaves are tender in texture due to insufficient sunlight, have a high moisture content, and lower carbohydrates. At this time, a 5% glucose solution can be sprayed on the harvested mulberry leaves. After they are air-dried, feed them to the silkworms. This can greatly alleviate the decline in cocoon quality and cocoon quantity caused by reduced leaf quality.

2. Soybean milk liquid additive. In summer and autumn, when there is a long drought without rain, mulberry leaves often become coarse, hard, and aged, lacking sap. At this time, a better method is to spray boiled and cooled soybean milk water on mulberry leaves to feed the silkworms. For 4-5 day old silkworms, supplement the feed 1-2 times during the day. Method for making soybean milk water: remove impurities from soybeans and wash them, soak them until swollen at a ratio of soybeans to water of 1:15, grind them into slurry, remove the residue, boil, cool, and then use. It is suitable to spray and mix 15 kg of mulberry leaves with every 1000 g of soybean milk water.

3. Urea liquid additive. Spray mulberry leaves with 0.5%-1% urea liquid, air-dry them, and then feed them to the silkworms. Starting from the third day of the 5th instar silkworms, supplement the feed once each morning and afternoon every day, which can significantly increase cocoon yield.

2. Precautions

1. The water used in the formula should be clean boiled cold water, and the supplement concentration must not be increased at will.

2. Mulberry leaves sprayed with nutritional supplement cannot be stored for too long. They must be prepared and used up on the same day to prevent fermentation, spoilage, and bacterial growth. Soybean milk ferments and spoils relatively easily, so the amount made each time should not be too much.

3. In dry and hot weather, mulberry leaves supplemented with nutritional agents do not need to be air-dried. In rainy weather, they must be air-dried before feeding.

4. The urea used in the urea liquid must meet standards. Urea produced by small factories that does not meet standards cannot be used, in order to prevent biuret poisoning.