IMPACT OF Azolla pinnata AND Lemna minorAS ARTIFICIAL DIETS AND NUTRITIONAL ADDITIVES ON MULBERRY SILKWORM, Bombyx mori L.

The mulberry silkworm, Bombyx mori L. is considered one of the most important insects due to its production of raw silk, which is used in many industries, as well as in the medical field. In this study, the azolla and water lens (duckweed) were used as protein-rich plant sources to feed the mulberry silkworm larvae through as artificial diet and as a nutritional supplement. It was found that feeding first instar larvae of B. mori on artificial diet containing duckweed powder at a ratio of 1 g per 10 g of T0 reduced significantly the mortality rate, followed by a medium including 2 g of duckweed per 10 g of T0. In contrary, larvae fed on artificial diet containing azolla powder at concentrations of 2 and 4 g per 10 g of T0 resulted in total mortality. Generally, the artificial diet containing the duckweed powder at a concentration of 1 g per 10 g of T0 produced the most favorable results in comparison to other concentrations. Control treatment T0 was more effective than all other treatments. Rearing 5thinstar larvae of B. mori on mulberry leaves treating with water extracts of azolla and duckweed at all concentrations caused significant differences in weights of larva, silk gland, cocoon and cocoon shell, meanwhile the control larvae showed the least means. The maximum percentage of 5th larval mortality was observed when larvae were fed on mulberry leaves treated with 4% azolla. Concerning silk filament parameters, it was found that 5th instar silkworm larvae fed on mulberry leaves dipped in azolla 2% water extract recorded the highest silk filament length, weight, and size, while Duckweed 4% treatment showed the lowest means. In conclusion, both azolla and duckweed significantly enhance the nutritional value of mulberry leaves because of their higher protein levels and essential amino acids, which are vital for the proper growth and development of silkworm larva,but further study is required to determine how best to include and balance them..