How to raise silkworm moths: a guide to the entire cycle from larvae to adults
In recent years, with the rise of natural education and family breeding, silk moth breeding has become a hot topic. Whether it is parent-child education, scientific experiments, or the inheritance of traditional silk culture, silkworm moth breeding has attracted much attention. This article will provide you with a detailed guide to breeding silk moths, covering the full cycle management from eggs to adults.
1. Basic information on silkworm moth breeding
| Project | content |
|---|---|
| scientific name | Bombyx mori |
| life cycle | Egg → larva (silkworm) → pupa → adult (moth) |
| optimal temperature | 20-28℃ |
| Humidity requirements | 60-75% |
| main food | Mulberry leaves (can also be replaced by artificial feed) |
| Breeding cycle | About 35-45 days (varies depending on temperature) |
2. Preparation work before breeding
1.Breeding container selection: Transparent plastic box or paper box (needs to be punched for ventilation), the recommended size is 20×30×15cm (10-20 larvae).
2.environmental control:
| Project | request |
|---|---|
| temperature control | Use a heating pad or heat lamp (when below 20°C) |
| Humidity management | Spray water 1-2 times a day (to avoid larvae) |
| Lighting conditions | Avoid direct sunlight, natural scattered light is best |
3.food preparation: Fresh mulberry leaves (replaced daily) or prepared artificial feed (needs to be kept refrigerated).
3. Main points of breeding at each stage
| growth stage | duration | Management points |
|---|---|---|
| egg stage | 7-10 days | Maintain a constant temperature of 25°C and avoid vibration |
| larval stage | 20-28 days | Clean up the remaining leaves and feces every day, and the food intake of the 4-5 years old will increase greatly. |
| cocooning stage | 3-5 days | Provide a cocooning support (paper tube or tree branch) |
| pupal stage | 10-15 days | Keep quiet and keep the humidity at around 70% |
| adult stage | 5-7 days | Provides mating space, female moth can lay 300-500 eggs |
4. Common problems and solutions
| question | Possible reasons | solution |
|---|---|---|
| Larvae die | Pesticide residues on mulberry leaves/high humidity | Replace pollution-free mulberry leaves and improve ventilation |
| Food refusal | Sudden temperature change/dew on leaves | Stabilize the temperature and dry the mulberry leaves |
| unable to form a cocoon | Not enough space/humidity too low | Expand the breeding space and spray water to increase humidity |
| Adults do not mate | Excessive light/uncomfortable temperature | Provide a dark environment, adjusted to 25℃ |
5. Advanced breeding skills
1.Variety selection: Ordinary white cocoon species are suitable for novices, while colored cocoon species (green, yellow, etc.) are more ornamental.
2.Large-scale breeding: The use of multi-layer breeding racks can improve space utilization. The average daily demand for mulberry leaves (100 silkworms): 1kg/day for 1st instar → 10kg/day for 5th instar.
3.Silk Utilization: High-quality cocoons can be drawn 200-300 meters long, and the cocoons need to be boiled in boiling water and then drawn manually.
4.scientific observation: Record the development time of each stage. The larvae will increase by 1 instar each time they molt, for a total of 5 instars.
6. Precautions
1. After picking, mulberry leaves need to be rinsed with water and dried. They should be stored in the refrigerator for no more than 3 days.
2. Avoid using pesticides, mosquito coils and other chemicals during breeding.
3. Larvae at the 4th to 5th instar stage will appear "suspended animation" (stationary), which is a precursor to normal molting.
4. After the adults emerge, their mouthparts degenerate and they no longer eat. The life cycle is completed after mating.
Through systematic breeding management, not only can the complete metamorphosis and development process be observed, but natural silk can also be harvested. This kind of breeding project that combines popular science and practicality is becoming a new hobby for urban families. It is recommended that first-time farmers start with 10-20 larvae and gradually gain experience.
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