Abstract
The rate of growth of Eri silkmoth, Samia ricini Donovan was studied for four dietary regimen (TT, TC, CT and CC) using two host plants viz. Castor (Ricinus communis) and Tapioca (Manihot utilissima) at fixed abiotic conditions (26±2℃ temperature and 60–90 % relative humidity). It was observed that the magnitude of difference by which the live weights have been added was highest in the CC dietary regimen (1738 mg per day in the fifth instar) followed by in TC (1726 mg per day in fifth instar), CT (952 mg per day in the fifth instar) and TT (810 mg per day during fifth instar) dietary regimen. The above findings indicate that diet CC was best followed by TC, CT and TT diet.
