Volume : 2, Issue : 6, JUN 2016

EVALUATION OF SEASONAL GROWTH VARIATION IN MOTH OF ANTHERAEA MYLITTA DRURY (SATURNIIDAE) GROWN ON DIFFERENT HOST PLANTS

L. K. JENA

Abstract

Antheraea mylitta Drury, the Indian tropical tasar silk insect that produces the world famous tasar silk, is usually reared in the forest areas on different tasar host plants
by the poor section of the society as a fruitful source of their livelihood. The moth of A. mylitta though is non-feeding, is the most vital stage for growth and race continuation
as well as for exploiting its genetic potency and dynamics to our best advantages. An experimental rearing of Antheraea mylitta Drury was carried out during
autumn and winter seasons at Similipal Biosphere Reserve, Mayurbhanj, Odisha, India, to assess the growth performance in terms of length, breadth and weight of
male moths grown on eight different host plants at different altitudes. At both the lower and medium altitudes during autumn season as well as at lower altitude during
winter season, the moths raised on (Terminalia alata W. & A.) food plant displayed the highest growth performances where as the Jamun (Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels)
grown moths exhibited the lowest values of growth parameters. In view of comparatively superior performance of all the growth parameters of the male moths, the
food plants utilized during autumn season at both the lower and medium altitudes were graded in the order Asan > Sal > Arjun > Ber > Sidha > Dha > Bahada >Jamun.
However, considering the overall better performances of all the growth indicators of the moths during winter season at lower altitude, the same food plants were ranked
in the order Asan followed by Arjun, Sal, Ber, Sidha, Dha, Bahada and Jamun. The present investigation also revealed that irrespective of the food plants, winter season
is more ideal for tasar cocoon crop performance in comparison to autumn, may be due to availability of favourable lower temperature, lesser relative humidity, shorter
photoperiod and less number of rainy days than autumn season

Keywords

Antheraea mylitta, moth, altitude, host plants, growth, winter.

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