The effect of different foodplants on cocoon crop performance in the Indian tasar silkworm Antheraea mylitta Drury (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae)

Abstract

Cocoon crop performance through seasonal rearings of Antheraea Mylitta Drury larva on three primary foodplants Asan (Terminalia tomentosa W. & A.), Arjun (Terminalia arjuna W. & A.), Sal (Shorea robusta Gaertn.) and three secondary foodplants, Ber (Ziziphus jujuba Gaertn.), Sidha (Lagerstroemia parviflora Roxb.) and Dha (Anoegeissus latifolia Wall.) indicate better performance in winter crops than those of a rainy and autumn season. Sal, among primary foodplants, appeared uneconomical in terms of total cocoon shell (raw silk) production in spite of a superior cocoon formation Overall performance was superior in Asan than all other foodplants during all the seasons. Performance on Ber was higher than Sal and other secondary foodplants, a situation not heretofore documented. The grada- tion of foodplant with regard to performance (total raw silk production) was, in decreasing order of productivity: Asan, Arjun, Ber, Sal, Sidha, Dha.