Effect of 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid (2,4-D) on the Economic Parameters of the Silkworm Bombyx mori L.

The effect of topical application with 200,400 and 600 $\mu$g/ml 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) on the fifth larval stadium of the silkworm, B. mori, was analyzed. Larvae treated during fifth larval stadium enhanced larval, cocoon and adult parameters. The larval period was significantly decreased with increase in silk gland weight at 400 and 600 $\mu$g/ml, male cocoon weight and shel1 weight in all the treated groups and filament length and weight at 200 $\mu$g/ml treated group. Length of the ovariole, eggs per ovariole and hatching percentage increased significantly in all the treated groups when compared with those of the carrier control. This suggests that the plant growth regulator 2,4-D in addition to affecting silk production also affect reproductive performance.