Priyanka Nayak, Bijoy Kumar Mishra, Shubhasree Dash and Subrat Kumar Mahapatra
Abstract
The present research aims to study the rearing performance of eri silkworm on different combinations of host plants and its impact on larval and cocoon parameters to ensure sustain yield and income for sericulture farmers. The seed stock was obtained from the Eri Silkworm Production Centre (ESPC) in Hosur, Tamil Nadu. By placing cocoons from sustained culture in well-ventilated rooms with adequate temperature and humidity, moths could emerge. Six hours were provided for emerging moths to mate for maximum fertilized eggs. Females then laid eggs on kharika for 24 hours. Incubating eggs in trays with paraffin paper and wet foam rubber stripes ensured optimal temperature (25ñ1ðC) and humidity (80-85%) until hatching. Eri silkworms were raised on castor, kesseru, tapioca, gulancha and papaya. Both castor and kesseru are highly valued as food crops. Castor had the shortest larval duration (19.33 days) and highest rates of successful rearing (96.10 percent) when compared to other hosts studied. In addition, castor had the heaviest cocoons (3.22g), heaviest cocoon shells (0.48g), and greatest shell ratio (15.04%). Castor was followed by Gulancha and Tapioca in these measures. In light of the economic considerations, it follows that when castor leaves are scarce, either gulancha or tapioca leaves can be used effectively to rear eri silkworms.