Sericulture

A brief account on the host plants, cocoons, and silk produced by Tassar, Muga, and Eri silkworm and its commercial importance.

1. SERICULTURE-MZOO334 CIA 1 Food plants, Types of cocoons and silk produced. Submitted to:- Dr. Krishnakumar V Dept of Life Sciences CHRIST (Deemed to be University) Prepared and Presented by:- Sabahat Batul Khusnuma Reg no:- 2047832 2MZOO 01

2. -CONTENTS- TYPES OF SILKWORMS TYPES OF SILKMOTHS TASSAR – HOST PLANTS, COCOONS AND SILK PRODUCED. MUGA – HOST PLANTS, COCOONS AND SILK PRODUCED. ERI –HOST PLANTS, COCOONS AND SILK PRODUCED. REFRENCES 02

3. -Types of Silkworms- 01 03 04 02 Muga Eri Tassar Mulberry 03

4. TYPES OF SILK Moths 03 04 01 02 04

5. Tassar The word tasar apparently derives from the Sanskrit word “ trasara ”. Tasar silk is mentioned in literature dating back to 1590 B.C. The Indian tasar silkworm, Antheraea mylitta is a natural fauna of tropical India. Wide distribution and polyphagy of this insect species had resulted in extensive variation in the population. Tasar cocoons are reported to be largest among all the silk-producing insects in the world. 05

6. Tassar Tasar cocoons are reported to be largest among all the silk-producing insects in the world. Tasar silk fiber has its own distinctive colour, is coarse to feel, but has higher tensile strength, elongation, and stress-relaxation values than the mulberry silk fiber secreted by Bombyx mori . These properties have made tasar silk as competent and desirable as mulberry silk. 06

7. Tassar Cocoons The mature larvae spin cocoons which are hard with different colours according to the types of plant leaves they fed. Some are light green, others are yellow, and some are grey and others almost white. Unlike mulberry cocoons, the tasar cocoon has a stalk (peduncle) which helps in fixing the cocoon with the twig of host plant. The tasar cocoon attains a size like that of hen’s egg. 07

8. Tassar Host Plants: The larvae of Antheraea mylitta are polyphagus and can take leaves of several host plants like Arjun, Asan, Ber, Sal, Jam, Sidha , etc. Asana plant Arjuna leaves 08

9. Tassar Silk In India, the production of tropical tasar silk remained next to mulberry silk for decades, constituting about 4 per cent of the total silk production. There is an ever-increasing demand for tasar silk owing to its strength, lustre and copper brown colour. The tasar silk production has stagnated and declined in the recent past though the demand is increasing. The important reasons for low production are attributed to traditional method of silkworm rearing on tall trees in natural habitat, which exposes the larvae to a number of predators, parasites and diseases apart from natural vagaries. 09

10. Tassar Silk 10

11. Oak Tasar silk • A finer variety of tasar silk is generated by the silkworm Antheraea proyeli and A. pernyi . China is the major producer of this tasars but in India it is available in Manipur, Assam, Meghalaya, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir. These moths feed on leaves of oak, are found in abundance in sub- Himalayan belt. The oak tasar is finer than the common tasar silk. 11

12. Eri silkworm Eri silkworm, Philosamia ricini is multivolitine and their cocoons are open mouthed. The Eri silkworm Philosamia ricini , is also known as Endi or Errandi and it belonging to family saturniidae . It is one of the commercially exploited silkworm species and can be reared indoors throughout the year to produce silk. The silk produced by Philosamia ricini is called Eri silk. 12

13. Eri silkworm - host plants Eri silkworm is a polyphagus insect and feeds on the leaves of several food plant viz, - Castor (Ricinus communis L), - Tapioca ( Manihot esculenta , Crantz .), - Wild castor ( Jatropha curcas L.), - Papaya ( Carica papaya L.), - Barkesseru ( Ailanthus exceisa Roxb .), - Kesseru ( Heteropanan fragrans Seem.), etc. Although, Eri silkworm is known to feed on the leaves of more than 30 host plant species but among them Castor is considered as the principal host plant. 13

14. Eri silkworm - host plants - Castor ( Ricinus communis L) - Papaya ( Carica papaya L.) 14

15. Eri silkworm cocoon The larva possesses a long tubular silk glands. This gland is responsible for production of silk. The silk gland secrets the silky substance to form the cocoon. In the cocoon , the larva transform into a chrysalid. The larva of last instar before moulting ceases feeding and transform into a chrysalid. The larva excretes silk substance after settling in a crevice and spin the cocoon. 15

16. Eri silkworm cocoon In 3-4 days, the cocoon formation is completed. Inside the cocoon the larva transforms itself into a brown coloured chrysalid. 16

17. Eri silk The silk produced by eri moths is referred to as eri and endi or errandi silk by local people. This silk is collected from pierced cocoons, so it is spun silk. The fibres in the cocoon are like a tiny bale of cotton, all wound together and tangled. So when eri silk is spun, it forms a lower grade of silk of unusual quality. Depending on how it is spun and woven it can give a very woolly result and as with poorly made wools, eri can feel like cheap acrylic. But it can also give a tight, strong fibre-like linen. This is what makes eri textiles amazing — they can have the drape and weight of linen but are warm and insulating like cotton or wool Eri silk is less glossy and wrinkleless. 17

18. Eri silk Eri silk fabric is a boon for those who practice absolute non-violence, not using any product obtained by killing any animal. It is widely used by everyone in the regions in which it is produced. It is becoming popular the world over. Buddhist monks in India, Bhutan, Nepal, China, and Japan prefer this silk, due to its non-violent origins. 18

19. Eri silk In India, eri was mostly used for the preparation of winter shawls for men and women. The thermal properties of eri silk makes it a suitable fabric for shawls, jackets, blankets, and bed spreads. Dress materials and baby dresses are also made from eri silk fabric because of its soft texture and moisture absorbent quality. Nowadays very fine (up to 210 Nm eri spun yarns are available, which enables weavers to weave very fine clothing, including traditional sari dress materials. Eri silk is durable and strong and has a typical texture; hence, it is widely used in home furnishing like curtains, bed covers, cushion covers, wall hangings, quilts, etc. Its woolly feel adds to the comfort. Two eri spun-silk mills have been established in Hindupur in Andhra Pradesh and Kokrajhar in Assam while another is at Chaygaon , near Guwahati, Assam, which is spinning the finest Eri spun-silk yarn with various blends with bamboo, muga silk, and cotton. 19

20. Eri silk Eri silk products are promoted as eco-friendly and natural, and provide jobs and money for the tribal peoples who practice eri culture. Eri silk production in India during 2007–2008 was 1,530 tons. This made up 73 percent of the total wild silk production of 2,075 tons. Vegan designer Lucy Tammam uses eri silk in her couture evening and bridal wear collections. 20

21. Eri silk 21

22. Muga Silkworm The Golden silk Muga is the pride of Assam, associated with the Assamese culture and tradition Muga culture is monopoly in Assam. Muga is an endemic silkworm species, prevalent in the Bhramaputra valley and the adjoining hills by the virtue of its typical agro -climatic conditions. Assam alone contributes 95% of the total Muga raw silk production. Facts!! Muga silkworm is having the least no of chromosomes among the saturnid moths n=15 22

23. Muga Host Plants The muga worm feeds on aromatic leaves of Som and Soalu • It can also be reared on host plants similar to that of tasar worms. 23

24. Muga Food Plants 24

25. Muga Cocoon Larval period lasts for 30-35 days. The Ripeworms come down the trees searching for a suitable place for spinning of cocoon. It is believed that cocooning in singari leaves produces shining and compact cocoons. Spinning takes about 2-3 days in summer and 7 days in winter. Muga cocoon is golden or light brown in colour, 4-6 cm long and 2-3 cm broad with a rudimentary peduncle without ring Female cocoon. Male cocoon 25

26. Muga Silk Muga silk is a natural shining golden colour, and is a stain free fabric. Muga silk fabric is the 2 nd costliest fabric in the world next to Pashmina. It is precious, durable, lustrous, strongest silk among all other types of natural silk. No artificial dye is required. Everlasting colour stability. In fact the golden colour increases after every wash. The fabric is permitted to be washed by all washing materials. No washing restrictions. It can absorb Ultra Violet radiations up to 85% Moisture regain capacity is up to 30%. Acid resistant. Has higher tensile strength, comfortable to wear all over the year due to its thermostatic nature. 26

27. Muga silk 27

28. Traditional Products Of Muga Silk. 28

29. Diverse Products Of Muga Silk 29

30. Other Uses Of Muga Silk 30

31. Muga silk in Assamese Cullture 31

32. S.I. NO Type of silk Scientific name of the silkworm Host plant Producing states 01 Tropical tasar (copperish colour ) Antheraea mylitta ( Satturniidae ) Arjuna ( Terminalia arjuna ) , Asan, saal etc. Jharkhand, Orissa, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, 02 Eri silk (White colour ) Samia cynthia ( Saturniidae ) Castor ( Ricinus communis ) North east states, Bihar, Orissa, West Bengal. 03 Muga silk (Golden yel l ow colour ) Antheraea assama ( Saturniidae ) Som ( Machilus bombycine ) Soalu ( Litsaea polyantha) Assam (Brahmaputra valey ) 32

33. References (Websites) “MUGA (Non-mulberry) cultivation in Cooch Behar,”  Coochbehar.nic.in , 2021. http:// coochbehar.nic.in / htmfiles / cob_seri_muga.html (accessed Jul. 17, 2021). L. Syiemlieh , “Raising Silkworms and the Methods of Rearing Different Types of Silk Cocoons,”  Muezart , Jun. 06, 2019. https:// www.muezart.com /blogs/ muezart -musings/from-cocoons-to-threads-how-to-rear-different-types-of-silkworms-and-weave-them#:~:text=Silkworm%20rearings%20are%20of%20four,Eri%2C%20Muga%2C%20and%20Tasar. (accessed Jul. 17, 2021). “Host Plants of Tasar Silkworm | Handloom Textiles & Sericulture | Government Of Assam, India,”  Assam.gov.in , 2017. https:// hts.assam.gov.in /portlet- innerpage /host-plants-of- tasar -silkworm (accessed Jul. 17, 2021). “Life Cycle of Muga Silkworm,.” Accessed: Jul. 17, 2021. [Online]. Available: https:// www.shivajicollege.ac.in / sPanel /uploads/ econtent /6bed6f9419a258064d9af0e96507d63a.pdf. “Life Cycle of Philosamia ricini ,.” Accessed: Jul. 17, 2021. [Online]. Available: https:// www.shivajicollege.ac.in / sPanel /uploads/ econtent /c0b02104a0b4838dd778953f485f4c3f.pdf. “Life Cycle of Tasar Silkworm Introduction-Classification,.” Accessed: Jul. 17, 2021. [Online]. Available: https:// www.shivajicollege.ac.in / sPanel /uploads/ econtent /d7087d76d2106f258390ba1ec46c7e1c.pdf ‌ 33

34. References (Articles) B. Sailaja, P. Sudhakar Rao, D. K. Gogoi , and R. K. Mishra, “Development of muga silkworm Antheraea assamensis (Helfer) egg preservation schedule based on embryonic...,”  ResearchGate , May 05, 2019. https:// www.researchgate.net /publication/341151283_Development_of_muga_silkworm_Antheraea_assamensis_Helfer_egg_preservation_schedule_based_on_embryonic_growth_studies (accessed Jul. 17, 2021). B. Zhou and H. Wang, “Structure and Functions of Cocoons Constructed by Eri Silkworm,”  Polymers , vol. 12, no. 11, p. 2701, Nov. 2020, doi : 10.3390/polym12112701. S. S. Silva, B. Kundu, S. Lu, R. L. Reis, and S. C. Kundu, “Chinese Oak Tasar SilkwormAntheraea pernyiSilk Proteins: Current Strategies and Future Perspectives for Biomedical Applications,”  Macromolecular Bioscience , vol. 19, no. 3, p. 1800252, Oct. 2018, doi : 10.1002/mabi.201800252. P. C. Bindu, P. Jaisankar , F. Hauer, H. O. Gutzeit , and S. C. Kundu, “Biological relevance of host plant-derived terpenoid in the cocoons of the tropical tasar silkworm Antheraea mylitta,”  Biochemical Systematics and Ecology , vol. 34, no. 9, pp. 698–704, Sep. 2006, doi : 10.1016/j.bse.2006.05.003. 34

35. THANK YoU ! F or your patience!!! Do you have any questions? Prepared & presented by: Sabahat Batul Khusnuma Reg no:- 2047832 2MZOO CHRIST (Deemed to be University) 35