Abstract
The effects of the incubation temperature of the embryonic development and the diet composition on the larval growth and the cocoon-shell weight were investigated. The larvae hatched from the eggs at 25°C or 18°C were reared on the diet containing methanol treated cabbage powder (experimental diet) or control diet under LD 16: 8, 25°C.
1) When the newly hatched larvae at 25°C were reared on experimental or control diet for 10 days, there is no difference about the appearance of 2nd instar larvae between these diets.
2) The larvae were reared on the experimental diet during 4th and/or 5th instar under germ-free condition. The larval duration was shortened for 2 or 3 days when egg-incubation temperature was set at 18°C than at 25°C, regardless of the difference of diet composition. However, the cocoon-shell weight was affected by the incubation temperature of eggs. In 25°C incubated group, the larvae fed on experimental diet or control diets (IV, V) produced 326 mg or 445, 320 mg of co-coon-shell weight, respectively. Contrary, at 18°C, the cocoon-shell weight was 272 mg, only 60% of control one.
3) Under conventional condition, the larval duration took longer and the cocoon-shell weight was lighter than under germ-free condition, regardless of the difference of diet composition and of egg-incubation temperature.
