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Feeding Management Technology of Ramie Silkworm
Ramie silkworms, also known as ramie worms, are named for their primary diet of ramie leaves. The cocoons they produce are pod-shaped, with a small hole at the top and a white color. These cocoons are highly valued as raw material for silk production. Raising ramie silkworms offers several advantages: first, it efficiently utilizes natural resources. In addition to ramie leaves, these silkworms can also feed on cassava and other similar leaves, providing a diverse and abundant food source. Second, the growth cycle is relatively short—only about 18 days from hatching to cocoon formation—which allows for multiple generations per year. Third, ramie silkworms are resilient, have strong vitality, and are less prone to disease, making them easy to manage.
1. **Controlling the hatching temperature** of ramie silkworm eggs is crucial. These eggs are sensitive to dryness and high temperatures. The ideal hatching temperature ranges between 22°C and 28°C. If the temperature becomes too high, cooling methods should be applied. A simple way is to place the eggs inside the cocoons and hang them in a well using ropes, or to put the eggs on top of cold water in a large container to maintain a lower temperature.
2. **Fresh and clean ramie leaves** are essential for feeding the silkworms. Leaves should be stored for no more than one day and ideally picked in the evening. The amount collected should match the previous day’s consumption to avoid over-picking, which can lead to leaf aging and reduced quality.
3. **Careful feeding and management** are important throughout the silkworm's development. When feeding young silkworms, the leaves should be torn into small pieces, while larger leaves can be used for older ones. Starting from the second instar, it is necessary to regularly remove silkworm droppings. However, this should not be done by directly handling the silkworms. Instead, guide them to new leaves and lift the leaves carefully. As the silkworms grow quickly, they must be separated into different containers as they age to prevent overcrowding, which could hinder their normal development.
4. **Preparing large leaves** is essential before the silkworms begin spinning their cocoons. Ramie silkworms typically use larger leaves like those from the banyan or aspen trees. Before they start forming cocoons, ensure that enough large leaves are available so the silkworms can easily feed and spin without difficulty.
5. **Harvesting and processing the cocoons** is an important step. Once the silkworms have finished feeding, the cocoons should be removed from the leaves immediately. The remaining silkworms should be dried quickly to kill the cocoon silk. After the main harvest, which usually lasts about 18 days, the remaining silkworms can develop into moths, which will lay eggs inside the shells. For excess silkworms, make a small cut on the shell and remove the cocoon. These cocoons can be used as food or as feed for livestock and poultry.
Although the life cycle of the ramie silkworm is short, it goes through four molts and five instars. The eggs do not enter diapause and develop continuously throughout the year. Some species of ramie silkworms have been artificially domesticated and can even be bred during winter, making them a valuable resource for sustainable silk production.