Abstract: Hibernating pupae of philosmia cyntia ricini showed an enormous increase in the amount of fresh and dry body weight, fat and carbohydrate over that present in non-hibernating pupae. However, the water and protein contents in hibernating pupae were less than in non-hibernating ones.It is interesting to note the hibernating pupae show a series of characteristics of inherent diapausing insect in nutrient metabolism.It aPPears that the method of cultivating a hibernating insect strain from non-hibernating one by means of successive rearing the insect in the model late-autumn environment is available.

Key words: Eri-silkworm, Hibernating pupae, Nutrient metabolism