Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

IMPACT OF HYDROCARBONS ON THE NON-MULBERRY SILKWORMS ANTHERAEA ASSAMA AND PHILOSAMIA RICINI

Rosalita Baruahl, B.G. Unni and Ruma Handique

Abstract

Experiments were conducted to study the effect of aliphatic hydrocarbons viz. octadecane (C,8) and tetracosane (C24) on non-mulberry silkworms Antheraea assama and Philosamia rioni. The two hydrocarbons were applied topically to freshly ecdysed fifth instar larvae of the silkworms at a dose of 30-90 micrograms per larvae. Octadecane treatment on Antheraea assama resulted in a decrease in the activities of both the enzymes of protein biosynthesis, Alanine Aminotransferase (AIAT, E.C.2.6 .I.2) and Aspartate Aminotransferase (AsAT, E.C.2.6.I.1) in the fat body and silk gland. The treatment has caused considerable increase in the larval weight. An increase in larval weight was also observed in the batches treated with tetracosane (C24) in both these silkworms.