Folia entomologica hungarica

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Author(s): Tangl, H. & Machay, L.
Title: Adatok a selyemhernyó (Bombyx mori L.) táplálóanyag kihasználásához
Title: Observations on the use of food by the Silkworm (Bombyx mori L.)
Year: 1957
Volume: 10
Pages: 263-274.



Abstract: Authors made observations on 3rd and 4th instar larvae of the silkworm in order to complete the partly controversial data found in litreture conserning the use of food by this animal. Leaves of Morus alba L. were fed in natural state as well as moistened with water and hydrocloric acid and pepsin solution in water respectively. The leaves consumed and the excrements were accurately weighed and after protein, fat, fibre and N-free extract content of these materials were established a conclusion was drawn as to the extent of the use of food. Leaves were fed further where the vascular system was coloured with Diamant-fuchsin and by means of microscopic observation of the excrements the time of detention of the food in the gut of silkworm was established. The silkworm utilized chiefly the fat content of the mulberry-tree leaves, i.e. 73,3 per cent. N-free extracte were used in large quantities /63 per cent/ too. The utilization of protein and fibre, on the other hand, was only 44.6 and 2.7 per cent respectively. By moistening the leaves with water the protein and fibre utilization could be raised. Silkworms fed with such leaves digested 65.8 per cent of the protein and 7 per cent of the fibre content of the leaves, the utilization of fat an N-free extracts remaning unchanged. Hydrochloric acid and pepsin solutions did not affect digestion and only the influence of water could be observed. The silkworm commences to excrete part of the food as soon as 1 hour after feeding, but complete excretion is finished only after about 12 hours. Within this time the bulk of the consumed leaves leave the intestines between the 3rd and 5th hours. Starvation causes a prolonged detention of food in the gut and only after next feeding are the last particles removed. Changes in the utilization of food by starved vs. Normally fed animals could not be observed.

Journal: Folia entomologica hungarica
Journal abbreviation: Folia ent. hung.
ISSN: 0373-9465
Publisher: ,
Editor(s): Kovács, I. E.