Types of silkworms in india

There are four types of silkworms in india, namely Mulberry silkworm, Tasar Silkwoem, Eri Silkworm and Muga Silkworm.

1-Mulberry silkworm

Mulberry silkworm (Bombyx mori L.) is a monophagous insect which is reared on the leaves of mulberry only; the morin present in the leaves helps to attract the silkworm. The leaves of all the species of Morus are not edible for silkworms – only the succulent, glabrous and palatable leaves are suitable for silkworm feeding. The important species which are cultivated for food are Morus alba L., M. indica L., M. latifolia Poir., and M. bombycis Koidz. In addition, a number of improved cultivars of mulberry have been evolved by the Research Institutes of the Central Silk Board, which are found to be popular in the field. Among these, mention may be made of Kanva-2, S1, S799, TR10, BC259 and S54. Some improved cultivars from Japan and other countries have also been introduced in India with encouraging results. Some of these are, Ichinose, Goshoeorami, Kosen (Japan) and Limoncine (Italy).
Mulberry is cultivated in most States in India. In the Southern and Eastern States, mulberry is cultivated as a bush whereas in the North-Western India, at a higher altitude, it is grown as dwarf and tall trees. It also occurs in the wild form in most parts of the country.

2-Tasar silkworm

Tasar silkworm (Antheraea mylitta D.) is a polyphagous insect which is reared outdoors. The important food plants of the tropical region of Central India are Sal (Shorea robusta Gaertn.), Arjun (Terminalia arjuna Bedd.) and Asan (Terminalia tomentosa, W&A). Besides these, the silkworm feeds on Ber, Jamun, etc. The temperate species of this silkworm, namely, Antheraea proylei J. feeds on different species of oak, Uyung (Quercus serrata), Thunb., (Banj ilex L.), (Q. dealbata Hook.F.Thom.), moru (Q. himalayana, Bahadur), Phanat (Q. glanca Thunb.) and kharsu (Q. semicaprifolia. Smith).
Tropical tasar food plants are available in the forests of the Central Indian States, namely, Bihar, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh, parts of Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Karnataka. The food plants of oak tasar silk worms are confined to the sub-Himalayan regions, namely, Manipur, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, the hilly parts of Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir in the wild form.

3-Eri silkworm

Eri silkworm (Philosamia ricini) is reared indoors on castor leaves Castor (ricinus communis L.) and tapioca (Manihot utilisima Pohl.). Though these food plants grow in most parts of the country, their cultivation for silkworm rearing is confined to the Eastern and North-Eastern States of India.

4-Muga silkworm

Muga silkworm (Antheraea assama WW.) which is semi- domesticated, thrives on Som (Machilus bombycina, King), Soalu (Litsaea polyantha, Juss.) and other species of these plants which are found in Assam, Nagaland and other parts of North-Eastern India.

Silkworm is an important insect which provide us silk, it is considered as beneficial insects. we have covered all 4 types of silkworms in india in this article