Silkworms are unique, polymorphic silk-producing insects. After four molting stages, they reach the fifth larval stage, which typically takes 26 to 28 days. During this time, a single silkworm can consume over 20 grams of mulberry leaves. Mature silkworms are white in color, weighing between 1.8 and 2.3 grams, with a cocooning rate of around 20% to 23%. The silk produced is approximately 1,000 to 1,400 meters long, with a thickness ranging from 2.6 to 3.2 denier. It's common to raise one species of silkworm with 18,000 to 20,000 individuals, consuming about 50 to 600 kg of mulberry leaves and producing 30 to 40 kg of silkworms. Modern scientific breeding techniques include the following five key aspects.
**Strict Disinfection and Disease Prevention**
Disinfection is the first and most important step in preventing silkworm diseases. Seven days before rearing, eggs are disinfected using a 1% available chlorine solution (like bleaching powder) or a 3% formaldehyde solution. The temperature should be maintained at 25°C for 30 minutes. The silkworms must be kept in an open space, and the room should be sealed for 2–3 days before ventilation. Silkworm nets and other equipment can be sterilized by boiling.
**Centralized Hatching**
After hatching, silkworms are placed in a controlled environment to ensure they emerge on a specific date, known as "qing qing" or "warm species." Typically, this process starts when the mulberry leaves have 2–3 leaves. The hatching area should be cleaned and disinfected beforehand. Wooden boxes measuring 1m x 0.35m x 0.5m are used, with small holes for ventilation. A non-toxic plastic sheet covers the bottom, and 2–3 cm of wet sand is added. Around 40–50 silkworm eggs are placed inside, covered and placed on a hot plate. The temperature gradually increases from 20°C on day one to 25.5°C by day 11.
**Ant Silkworm Rearing**
To save labor and maintain uniformity, it's better to collect young silkworms and rear them together. This process, called "receiving ants," involves placing silkworm eggs on mulberry leaves after disinfecting the rearing area. A non-toxic plastic sheet is laid down, and fresh mulberry leaves are spread. After 20 minutes, the silkworms climb onto the leaves, and the eggs are removed. The leaves are cut into small pieces and fed 3–5 times daily, maintaining a temperature of 26–27°C for 1–2-day-old silkworms, and 25–26°C for 3-day-olds, with humidity at 80%.
**Feeding Large Silkworms**
By the fourth or fifth day, silkworms are distributed to households for further rearing. They eat about 80% of their body weight in mulberry leaves daily. Their size increases significantly, up to 300–10,000 times that of ant silkworms. It's essential to expand the feeding area regularly to prevent overcrowding and disease, ensuring all silkworms have access to food.
**Mature Silkworms and Cocooning**
At the end of the fifth day, silkworms begin to reduce their green consumption and excrete soft feces. Their bodies become thinner and more transparent. They start to crawl and spin cocoons using new pods, folded clusters, or firewood clusters. The cluster room should be kept at 25°C initially, then reduced to 24°C, with humidity around 75%. Proper ventilation is necessary to avoid moisture buildup. Light should be evenly distributed to prevent silkworms from clustering in one spot. Unripe silkworms should be removed, and once fully matured, they are collected and stored in a cool, ventilated area to avoid heat damage.
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