| Abstrak/Abstract |
The objective of this research was to evaluate artiÞcial diets that can be used to
successfully culture the atlas silk moth, Attacus atlas L. (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) indoors. Four plant
species were evaluated as the basic component of each diet, barringtonia (Barringtonia asiatica),
cheesewood (Nauclea orientalis), soursop (Annona muricata), and mahogany (Swietenia mahagoni).
Evaluation of the nutritional value of each diet was determined by an analysis of the hemolymph
proteins of sixth instars using the FolinÐCiocalteu assay. Survivorship, cocoon quality, and hemolymph
protein content of larvae fed the barringtonia diet were higher than those of larvae fed mahogany-,
cheesewood-, and soursop-based artiÞcial diets. The average adult emergence of those fed the
barringtonia-based diet was 74.5%. The weights of the cocoon in this treatment with the pupa and the
empty cocoons were 7.0 and 1.1 g, respectively. Hemolymph of the larvae fed the barringtonia-based
artiÞcial diet had the highest concentration of protein with an average of 28.06 mg/ml. The atlas moth
reared on the barringtonia-based artiÞcial diet was comparable with those reared only on barringtonia
leaves. However, the weight of empty cocoons, adult wingspan, and amount of hemolymph protein
were lower than in those reared on barringtonia leaves only. This may suggest that the artiÞcial
barringtonia-based diet requires additional protein for maximum efÞciency. |
