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IDENTIFICATION OF SILKWORM MOULTING : ALEMKUMZUK, Asstt. Sericulture Officer. 

Silkworm Moulting means shedding of their old skin. During the entire larval period, the worms moult 4(four) times and gradually grow bigger in size to reach the cocooning stage. When in moult, they stop eating, become motionless, the head is raised a little and the body shortened. This stage of moulting last for 24-48 hours. For a farmer, it is a characteristic sign that indicates beginning of the moult. Towards the end of moulting, the head and fore parts are gradually lowered and finally the worms begins to stretch its body in an effort to break the old skin at the head by continuous undulatory movement and wriggling, the body completely parts off the old skin and become free.

However the moulting period entirely depends on the climatic condition. If the temperature and humidity are high the moulting period of the worms is shortened and in low temperature moulting period is prolonged.

The worm look fresh and soft when they come out of their old skin and during this time disinfectants like RKO, LABEX etc. may be dusted on the body prior to start of feeding the leaf as the new skin are very fragile and can be easily infected by different diseases.

It is very important that during the period of moulting no leaf is given to the worms as they should not be disturbed. Leaf should be served only when about 90% of the worms have cast off their skins and passed the moult. In all stages, the moulting worms are making to rest themselves upon a thin layer of leaf and the delitage should not be done.

Normally the stage wise moulting periods occur as follows:

Duration of Stage                                  Moulting Period

I Stage    2-3days                                 24-48 hours.

II Stage   2-3days                                 24-30 hours.

III Stage  3-4days                                24-30 hours.

IV Stage  4-5days                                24-30 hours.

V  Stage  4-5days                                24-30 hours.

However, the duration of stage may be prolonged during the winter season as the temperature is lowered unlike other seasons.

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