• Journal of Sericultural and Entomological Science
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.69-72
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• 1993

Effects of topical application with 1, 5 and 10 ${\mu}$g/ml testosterone on the precocooning and post cocooning traits of the polyvoltine. Pure Mysore breed of silkworm were studied. Each concentration was treated independently at 36th to III, IV and V instar larvae(Treatment-1), at 48th to IV and V instar larvae(Treatment-2_ and at 72th to V instar larvae(Treatment-3). The repeated application with each concentration of testosterone propionate in treatment, and 2 larvae or single application in treatment 3 variously affected the precocooning and post cocooning traits. Repeated applications of all doses of testosterone propionate(Treatment-1) and single application of 1 & 5 ${\mu}$g of the chemical(Treatment-3) increase the fecundity and decrease the percentage of cocooning and moth emergence.