EVALUATION OF COMMERCIAL REARING OF SILKWORM BOMBYX-MORI L (BOMBYCIDAE, LEPIDOPTERA) IN SOUTH BIHAR

An analysis of rearing results of commercial crops in the agroclimatic conditions of South Bihar was conducted which indicate that cross bre ed PMxNB18 or PMxNB4D2 (MxBi) gave best results in the month of Octobe r as compared to other seasons in almost all the districts of South Ch otanagpur. Cocoon yield / 100 dfls was recorded from 19.48 to 56.54 Kg . However, rearing performance in almost all the areas during August w as comparatively poor. Performance of Nistari (Multi-voltine) in Sahib ganj and Maheshpur Raj area was. found to be best during October-Novem ber and March-April. Comparative performance during different seasons vis-a-vis prevailing climatic conditions are discussed.