Abstract
Larvae of the silkworm, Bombyx mori L., were successfully reared from hatching through cocoon-spinning on artificial diets by means of vinyl-isolator. As compared to the previous method using flasks or test-tubes for aseptic rearing, the use of vinyl-isolator made a mass culture of larvae possible. For example, 3, 267 newly hatched larvae were reared at one time for a period of 24 days. The mortality was 8.3% during this period. Approximately half of the surviving larvae were of 4th instar, and the rests either of 5th instar or of 4th molting. When necessary, larvae of younger stage were taken out from the isolator and led to feed on artificial diets even under the xenic conditions. A discussion was made briefly on the possibility of aseptic method for practical mass culture of the silkworm.
