Silkworm Breeding Environment
Sericulture has traditionally been conducted from May to October, primarily during the period when mulberry leaves, the primary feed for silkworms, can be harvested. The optimal breeding temperature is around 25°C, with humidity levels between 70-80%. It has become possible to breed silkworms year-round by replacing mulberry leaves with artificial feed and using air conditioning and dehumidifiers to manage room temperature and humidity.
Disinfection of the breeding room and equipment is necessary after each breeding cycle to prevent silkworm diseases.
Silkworm breeding methods are diverse, with some farms breeding tens of thousands of silkworms at once, while others breed in quantities of several thousand to tens of thousands, depending on mulberry leaf availability and breeding conditions.
The tools used also vary, allowing for breeding adapted to specific environments.
In Komagane City, which has a collaboration agreement with KAICO, the entire process from the robust larval stage (sōsan) to cocoon formation (jōzoku) and cocoon collection (shūken) is currently being conducted by repurposing a formerly unused teachers’ housing.
The house interior is typical of a standard Japanese home, featuring an 11-square-meter room, a 15-square-meter room, a kitchen, a bathroom, and a toilet.
The 15-square-meter room is used as the breeding room, and its primary equipment includes mulberry leaf feeding platforms, silkworm trays, silkworm seat papers, shelves, and cocoon frames necessary for cocoon formation.
In Komagane City, approximately 10,000 silkworms are bred in this single room at a time. This year, they conducted three breeding cycles, with KAICO accepting the entire silkworm production.
When breeding with natural mulberry leaves, depending on the method, 3-4 breeding cycles per year are possible. By KAICO purchasing the entire silkworm production, they contribute to regional revitalization.”
The translation preserves the technical details and professional tone of the original Japanese text, providing a comprehensive overview of silkworm breeding practices in Komagane City.