Volume : V, Issue : VI, June - 2015

Rearing of Eri Silkworms (Philosamia ricini Hutt.) on Tapioca (Manihot utilisima) during Autumn season in Assam

Dulumani Das

Abstract :

 Tapioca (Philosamia ricini Hutt.) is a secondary food plant of eri silkworms (Manihot utilisima), which is generally used during the period of shortage of the primary food plants. An experiment was carried out to rear the eri silkworms on the leaves of Tapioca as the primary food plants during autumn season in Assam. After successful conduction of reå, it was found that Tapioca could be used as a potential host plant of Eri silkworms. The larval period were found 3.5±0.53, 2.4±0.49, 4.5±0.53, 6.6±0.52 and 8±0.71 days for 1st instar, 2nd instar, 3rd instar, 4th instar and 5th instar larvae respectively. The weight of the matured 5th instar larvae, silk gland, single cocoon and shell, shell ratio percentage, Effective Rate of Reå (ERR), period of pupation and number of DFLs produced were found 6.46±0.35, 0.57±0.03, 2.63±0.64, 0.31±0.15, 11.87±0.35, 90%, 17.1±1.1 days and 370 Nos. respectively. The cocoons harvested were found white to creamy white in colour and elongated to spindle in shape.

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Article: Download PDF   DOI : 10.36106/ijar  

Cite This Article:

Dulumani Das Rearing of Eri Silkworms (Philosamia ricini Hutt.) on Tapioca (Manihot utilisima) during Autumn season in Assam Indian Journal of Applied Research, Vol.5, Issue : 6 June 2015

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