Figure 1. Silkmoths prefer mulberry leaves as oviposition sites.

(a) Binary-choice assays revealed that silkmoths preferred to lay most of their eggs on to mulberry leaves than on filter paper. Eggs deposited on mulberry leaves or paper were counted and converted into percentages as represented in the graph. Significant difference was analyzed by paired t-test (P < 0.0001). (b) Set-up of the preliminary binary choice oviposition bioassay and section of eggs laid on leaf is zoomed for better view. (c) Representative EAD response from silkmoth antenna towards volatiles of mulberry leaf Porapak Q elute separated by GC-FID. Seven volatile compounds elicited consistent response (n = 6). (d) Oviposition assay conducted with EAD active fractions pinpointed the efficacy of individual EAD active volatile compounds in eliciting and enhancing oviposition and was determined by oviposition index. Significant differences are denoted by different letters (ANOVA followed by Tukey's test; P < 0.0001). All photos were by V.K.