Produktivitas Ulat Sutra (Samia cynthia ricini) yang Diberi Pakan Modifikasi Berbahan Dasar Daun Singkong (Manihot utilissima)

Abstract

Ulat sutra Samia cynthia ricini merupakan komoditas ternak yang banyak dibudidayakan di Indonesia. Pakan menjadi faktor penting dalam budidaya, namun ketersediaan daun singkong sebagai pakan alami kerap menjadi kendala. Penelitian ini bertujuan menganalisis pengaruh pakan modifikasi berbahan dasar daun singkong terhadap produktivitas S. c. ricini. Penelitian dilakukan di Laboratorium Sutra Alam, Fakultas Peternakan IPB dengan tiga perlakuan: P0 (100% daun singkong segar), P1 (100% pasta tepung daun singkong), dan P2 (50%:50% pasta campuran tepung daun singkong dan daun pepaya). Peubah yang diamati meliputi konsumsi pakan, pertumbuhan larva, lama fase larva, mortalitas, dan karakteristik kokon. Hasil menunjukkan P0 memberikan hasil signifikan lebih tinggi pada konsumsi, pertumbuhan, dan karakteristik kokon dibandingkan P1 dan P2 (p<0,05). Pakan modifikasi belum dapat memperbaiki produktivitas dan tingkat mortalitas ulat sutra fase awal larva. Penelitian lebih lanjut diperlukan untuk mengembangkan pakan alternatif yang lebih efektif bagi ulat sutra S. c. ricini.

Samia cynthia ricini is a silkworm species widely farmed in Indonesia. Feed plays a crucial role in silkworm farming, and the high demand for cassava leaves as natural feed often becomes a challenge. This study aimed to analyze the effect of modified feed made from cassava leaves on the productivity of S. c. ricini. The research was conducted at the Natural Silk Laboratory, Faculty of Animal Science, IPB, from February to March 2025, using three treatments: P0 (fresh cassava leaves), P1 (cassava leaf flour paste), and P2 (cassava and papaya leaf flour paste, 50:50). Observed variables included feed intake, larval weight, body length and width, larval duration, mortality, and cocoon characteristics. Results showed that P0 significantly outperformed P1 and P2 in feed intake, larval growth, and cocoon characteristics (p<0.05). Modified feeds has not been able to fix productivity and mortality rate especially during early larval stages. Further research is needed to improve the formulation so that modified feeds can serve as a viable alternative.