A feeding trait study in head space of Silkworm Bombyx mori (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae) by GC-MS analysis

Abstract

We analyzed the presence of chemical compounds from the head space of Bombyx mori which are attracted / recognized and entrapped by the head proteins upon biting of mulberry leaves through Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. The results of GC-MS showed that 28 chemical compounds were present in the head space of B. mori. Among this 28 compounds phenol, 2, 4-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-, benzene, 1,3-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl) and tetradecane are abundantly present, which indicate that these fours chemicals are the most important compounds present in the head of B. mori and responsible for feeding trait. The details of these compounds are discussed further.