Effect of Naphthoxyacetic Acid (NOA) on the Economic Parameters of the Silkworm Bombyx mori L.

The effect of topical application with naphthoxyacetic acid on economic parameters was analyzed following treatment of fifth instar larvae. Larvae treated during the fifth instar showed significant increase in larval weight along with other enhanced larval, cocoon and adult parameters. The larval period was significantly shortened in all the treated groups with increased cocoon and shell weights in male and shell weight in female in 400 ${\mu}g$/ml treated group and filament length in all the treated groups. Fecundity increased significantly in dose dependent manner in all the treated groups, when compared to that of the carrier control group. This suggests that naphthoxyacetic acid, in addition to affecting larval growth, also affect silk production and reproductive performance.