EFFECT OF REFRIGERATION AT BLUE EGG STAGE WITH REFERENCE TO REARING PERFORMANCE IN THE SILKWORM, BOMBYX MORI L.

The eggs at blue egg stage of Pure Mysore, ND7, NDV6 and their hybrids with CSR2 were refrigerated for a period of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 days with a control to know their effect on hatchability, survivability and cocoon parameters. It was observed that there was significant difference in the hatching %, pupation rate and cocoon characters in the batches refrigerated for 4, 5, 6 and 7 days compared to refrigeration for 2 and 3 days. The study indicated refrigeration of eggs at blue egg stage can be followed for 3 days without any deleterious effect on hatching and rearing performance.