The effect of fluoride on the food and dietary water intake and utilisation were studied in final instars of silkworm, Bombyx mori L. race NB4D2 fed ad libitum with mulberry leaves treated with sodium fluoride at concentrations of 25 ppm, 50 ppm and 75 ppm. The larval duration increased by two days while food consumption, assimilation rate, assimilation efficiency, feeding and metabolic rates increased significantly in all the treated larvae. On the other hand, the amount of faeces produced, food conversion, conversion rate and conversion efficiencies decreased significantly in all the treated batches when compared to controls. The water intake and utilisation parameters increased significantly while rate of water loss through faeces, water retained in the body and retention efficiency decreased in all the fluoride-treated silkworms. The factors responsible for these changes in treated batches are discussed in relation to the effect of fluoride on cocoon and shell weights.
