ECOLOGY, BEHAVIOR AND BIONOMICS Evaluation of Economically Important Traits from Sixteen Parental Strains of the Silkworm Bombyx mori L (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae)

The classifi cation and characterization of silkworm strains are important for sericulture, which is supported by the constant development of new hybrids. In this study, 16 parental strains of Bombyx mori L from the germplasm banks of the Universidade Estadual de Maringa - UEM, and Associacao dos Criadores de Bicho-da-Seda de Nova Esperanca e Regioes Sericicolas do Parana - ACESP, were evaluated regarding biological and productive traits economically important. The Chinese C122-B and C121-A, and the Japanese HA-A and HA-B strains yielded the highest cocoon weight, which is related to the raw silk percentage. Our data will be useful in breeding programs for the production of superior silkworm strains and hybrids.