Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate six native strains of silkworm, Bombyx mori L., available in Iran based on different quantitative traits. In this experiment, the studied six native strains are Lemon Khorasan; Lemon Haratee, White Haratee, Yellow Haratee, Pink Khorasan and Baghdadi. From the obtained results, it is shown that the amount of percentage of hatchability in the six studied local varieties was between 84.93 and 98.87%. Among the studied local varieties, the highest level of percentage of hatchability belonged to Pink Khorasan (98.87%), and White Haratei variety (84.93%) remained at a lower level than other varieties (P<0.05). The amount of average of cocoon weight in the six studied local varieties was between 14.70 and 20.35%. Among the studied local varieties, the highest level of average of cocoon weight belonged to White Haratee and Yellow Haratee (14.70), and Lemon Haratee variety (20.35) remained at a lower level than other varieties (P<0.05). Also, the highest level of cocoon shell percentage belonged to Pink Khorasan (13.36%), and Lemon Haratee variety (19.11%) remained at a lower level than other varieties (P<0.05).

Key words: Bombyx mori, local race, cocoon, fertility, larvae duration.