A Report on Incidence of a New Vanya Silkworm Species Actias selene Hubner on Primary Post Plant Species Machilus bombycina King of Muga Silkworm Antheraea assama Ww. in District Bageshwar Uttrakhand

Abstract

The present study deals with incidence of a new vanya silkmoth Actias selene Hubner on one of the primary host plant species Machilus bombycina King of muga silkworm species Antheraea assama Ww. which is exclusively cultivated in Assam for production of precious muga silk fibre in India only in the world. The detailed biology of insect A. selene Hubner was carried out on nature grown host plant under natural weather as prevails during summer in Distt Bageshwar of State Uttarakhand. The incidence of the wild silk moth recorded during onset of summer at an altitude of 4000ft. The larval period was recorded 28 days. Eggs size was recorded 1.5 mm and colour white with extensive black and brown. Newly hatched larvae are red with a black abdominal limp thereafter in second instar larvae become all red with black heads till the third instar and in last instar larvae take on a green colour. Larva on maturation becomes apple-green with paired dorsal and lateral yellow spinous tubercles on each segment except the last. The length and weight of mature larva of the silkworm were observed 12-13.5 cm and 16-18.5 gm respectively. Cocoons shape and colour observed long oval, tan-brown and the cocoon weight (g) and SR %( ave.) for male and female was recorded 5.4, 9.4 and 12.80, 11.30 respectively.