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. 2010:10:6.
doi: 10.1673/031.010.0601.

Use of sleeve nets to improve survival of the Boisduval silkworm, Anaphe panda, in the Kakamega forest of western Kenya

N Mbahin  1 , S K Raina, E N Kioko, J M Mueke
Affiliations

Use of sleeve nets to improve survival of the Boisduval silkworm, Anaphe panda, in the Kakamega forest of western Kenya

N Mbahin et al. J Insect Sci. 2010.

Abstract

Prospects for development of a wild silk industry in Africa would be improved if silkworm survival during mass production could be improved. A study on the survival of the Boisduval silkworm, Anaphe panda (Boisduval) (Lepidoptera: Thaumetopoeidae) was conducted with and without protection by net sleeves in two different forest habitats (natural and modified) in the Kakamega forest of western Kenya. Overall, cohort survival was significantly higher (P < 0.001) in the natural than in the modified forest, but larval survival was improved over three-fold by protection with net sleeves in both habitat types. In the modified forest, only 16.8% of unprotected larvae survived to the pupal stage and formed cocoons, whereas 62.3% survived in the same environment when they were protected with net sleeves. In the natural forest, 20.4% of unprotected larvae survived, whereas 67.7% survived in net sleeves. There was also a significant effect of season; cohorts of larvae that eclosed in the wet season had significantly lower survival than those eclosing in the dry season (P = 0.02). Sources of mortality appeared to be natural enemies (parasites, predators and diseases) and climatic factors.

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Figures

Figure 1:
Figure 1:
Study sites in the Kakamega Forest of western Kenya. High quality figures are available online.
Figure 2:
Figure 2:
Eclosing egg mass of Anaphe panda. High quality figures are available online.
Figure 3:
Figure 3:
Branch of Bridelia micrantha with net sleeve used to enclose developing cohorts of Anaphe panda silkworms. High quality figures are available online.
Figure 4:
Figure 4:
7th instar larvaof Anaphe panda on its host plant, Bridelia micrantha. High quality figures are available online.
Figure 5:
Figure 5:
Rainfall, temperature and relative humidity in the Isecheno modified forest (2005–2007). High quality figures are available online.
Figure 6:
Figure 6:
Rainfall, temperature and relative humidity in the Ikuywa natural forest (2005–2007). High quality figures are available online.
Figure 7:
Figure 7:
Survival function of Anaphe panda silkworms in natural and modified Kakamega Forests when protected with a sleeve net (dashed line) or unprotected (solid line). High quality figures are available online.
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