diversity of genus samia (lepidoptera: … 3/session 3... · of various host plants and silkworms...

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DIVERSITY OF GENUS SAMIA (LEPIDOPTERA: SATURNIIDAE)

IN INDIA AND PROSPECTS FOR THEIR UTILIZATION

B. K. Singh*, Rajesh Kumar and S. A. Ahmed

Central Muga Eri Research & Training Institute,

Central Silk Board, Lahdoigarh - 785700, Jorhat, Assam, India

(*Corresponding Author: [email protected])

ABSTRACT

The genus Samia Hübner (Philosamia Grote) consists of 19 species in tropical

Asian region belonging to the family Saturniidae. Among 19 species, 4 species

have been recorded from India viz., S. ricini (domesticated) S. canningi (wild

progenitor of S. ricini), S. kohlli (new report from Mizoram) and S. fulva

(endemic to Andaman & Nicobar Island). North East India is one of the

biodiversity hotspots among 34 biodiversity hotspots of the world; and the

region is the abode of various silkworms and their host plants producing

muga, eri, mulberry, tasar and oak tasar silks. S. ricini, one of the most

economically important non-mulberry silkmoth popularly known as “Eri

Silkmoth”, is widely distributed in India. S. ricini and S. canningi were treated

as separate species on the basis of abdomen having segmental bands of white

hairs above instead of tufts; the colour usually darker. Presently, seven eco-

races eri silkworm viz., Borduar, Titabar, Khanapara, Gananag, Sille,

Dhanubhanga, Nongpoh and six strains of viz, G.B. Plain, G.B. Spotted, G.B.

Zebra, Yellow Plain, Yellow Spotted and Yellow Zebra are being maintained

for commercial exploitation. The primary food plants of eri silkworm are the

Castor (Ricinus communis Linn.) and Kesseru (Heteropanax fragrans Seem.)

while other important food plants include Payam (Evodia flaxinifolia Hook.),

Tapioca (Manihot utilissima Phol.), Barpat (Ailanthus grandis Roxb.),

Barkesseru (Ailanthus excelsa Roxb.) and Gulanch (Plumeria acutifolia Poir.)

belonging to the family Euphorbiaceae, Araliaceae, Rutaceae, Simaroubaceae

and Apocynaceae, respectively. During 2014-15, total production of eri silk in

the country was 4726 MT of which north eastern states produced 4691 MT

and the region contributes more than 99% of the total eri raw silk produced in

the country. Having the softness of silk and warmness of wool, eri silk offers

vast scope for product diversification while the byproducts such as pupae;

litters and excreta form the important economic components of the culture.

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The paper highlights the diversity of eri silkworm and its host plants in North

east India along with prospects of utilizing their products and by products as

sustainable source of livelihood for upliftment of rural economy.

Keywords: Biodiversity, Samia, prospects, utilization.

INTRODUCTION

India is one of the biodiversity hotspots among 34 biodiversity

hotspots of the world. India produces all type of silk viz., Muga, Mulberry,

Eri, Tropical Tasar and Oak Tasar. Four species of genus Samia has been

reported from India i.e., S. ricini (domesticated) S. canningi (wild


(endemic to Andaman & Nicobar Island). North East India located between

21° 57’ to 29° 28’ North latitude and 89° 40’ to 97° 25’ East longitude is

internationally recognized as one of the biodiversity hotspots for its rich and

unique bio-resources including sericigenous insects. The region is the abode

of various host plants and silkworms producing Muga, Mulberry, Eri, Tasar

and Oak Tasar silks although the major strength of silk industry in the

region is by virtue of endemic nature of golden Muga and fabulous Eri silk.

The common and commercially exploited non-mulberry or vanya silk

producing species are Antheraea mylitta Drury, Antheraea pernyi Guérin-

Meneville, A. assamensis Helfer and Samia ricini Donovan (Jolly, 1985)

belonging to the family Saturniidae. The genus Samia contains 19 species

from tropical and temperate eastern Asia (Naumann and Peigler, 2001;

Peigler and Naumann, 2003), while Arora and Gupta (1979) reported but a

single species S. cynthia with several sub species from India including S.

ricini. Eri silkworm, S. ricini is mainly confined to North-East India for

commercial production. Seven eco-races of eri silkworm have been reported

based on the endemic nature and distribution pattern, while six strains of eri

silkworm have been isolated from the Borduar and Titabar eco-races based

on the larval colour and marking patterns (Debraj et al., 2001 and Singh et

al., 2003). Wild counterpart Samia canningi (Hutton) is also known to occur

in foothills of the region, which provides valuable resource material for

cross breeding (Sharma et al., 2002).

The important food plants of eri silkworm belonging to the family

Euphorbiaceae, Araliaceae, Rutaceae, Simaroubaceae and Apocynaceae are

exploited by farmers for eri silkworm rearing. Bindroo et al. (2007) reported

24 plant species as host of eri silkworm and designating them as primary,

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secondary and tertiary based on their extent of utilization and palatability to

eri silkworm. Sharma et al. (2002) reported NBR-1 (Non-bloomy red) as the

most promising Castor variety with the highest leaf and cocoon yield while

the promising Tapioca varieties include H-97 and H-648. Protection of

existing biodiversity, revitalization of the ecosystem, indexing of important

biodiversity components and sustainable use of bio-resources are of

paramount importance besides conserving the required germplasm as a pre

requisite to genetic improvement (Dandin, 2005). Dayashankar (1992)

reported that castor crop yields about 13,675 kg leaf in Aruna variety

supporting rearing of 1368 dfls, producing 438 kg excreta and 4786 kg litter

per crop. Singh et al. (2004) also reported yield of 283 kg litters, 200 kg

excreta, 40 kg pupa and 6 kg shells per 100 dfls per crop at beneficiary level

in Jharkhand under SGSY programme.

Rearing of eri silkworm (Samia ricini Donovan) has been traditionally

practiced in North East India and the culture has become inseparable part

with the tradition, culture and economy of several communities of the

region. Ericulture is predominantly practiced in all the north eastern states

except Tripura for the production of cocoons and pupae. The protein rich

eri pupae is a favourite delicacy and dietary staple for the Bodo, Rabha,

Miri, Kachari, Garo, Khasi, Naga, Adi, Mizo and Synteng tribals of Tibeto

Burman and Indo mongoloid origin of North East India (Alok Sahay et al,

1997, Chaoba Singh and Suryanarayana, 2003). The entire gamut of

ericulture involves multifarious activities viz., raising of host plants,

production of silkworm seeds, rearing of silk worm, spinning of cocoons

into yarn and weaving in to fabrics; and various by-products are generated

in these series of activities. Utilization of byproducts is of prime importance

as these wastes are the sources of biologically active substances having vast

prospects for uses in pharmaceutical, cosmetic, paper and cellulose, and also

in organic agricultural food industries. Presently, about 2.70 lakh families

of the region are engaged in ericulture depending on cultivated and forest

based food plants. There is an urgent need for sustainable utilization of eri

silkworm and its host plants, their products and by products for ensuring

additional income and upliftment of rural economy.

Present status of eri silk production in India

During 2014-15, total production of eri silk in the country was 4726

MT of which north eastern states produced 4691 MT and the region

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contributes more than 99% of the total eri raw silk produced in the country.

Presently 35062 ha of land are covered under eri food plantation and about

2.70 lakh families are engaged in eri culture in N.E. region by utilizing the

foliage of these forest/ waste land-based food plants as sustainable sources

of livelihood. Details on eri raw silk production in the India during 2013-14

and 2014-15 are presented in Table 1.

Table 1: Eri raw silk production in India during 2013-14 and 2014-15

State Production of raw silk (MT)

2013-14 2014-15

Assam 2613 3055

Arunachal Pradesh 11 10

Bihar 5 8

Chhattisgarh 0.3 0

Jharkhand 0 0.23

Madhya Pradesh 1.0 1.5

Manipur 353 361

Meghalaya 614 622

Mizoram 8 10

Odisha 5 7

Nagaland 597 610

Sikkim 0 3

Uttarakhand 3 0

Uttar Pradesh 20 32

West Bengal 7 6

Total 4237 4726

(Source: Annual Report, CSB, Bangalore)

Diversity of eri silkworm

The genus Samia Hübner (Philosamia Grote) consists of 19 species in

tropical Asian region belonging to the family Saturniidae viz., Samia

cynthia, S. wangi, S. pryeri, S. canningi, S. ricini, S. fulva, Samia kohlli, S.

peigleri, S. insularis, S. abrerai, S. yayukae, S. vandenberghi, S. naumanni,

S. ceramensis, S. naessigi, S. tetrica, S. treadawayi, S. luzonica, S. watsoni

(Peigler and Naumann, 2003). Among 19 species, 4 species have been

recorded from India viz., S. ricini (domesticated) S. canningi (wild

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(endemic to Andaman & Nicobar Island) (Table 2).

S. ricini, one of the most economically important non-mulberry

silkmoth popularly known as “Eri Silkmoth”, is widely distributed in India.

S. ricini and S. canningi were treated as separate species on the basis of

abdomen having segmental bands of white hairs above instead of tufts; the

colour is usually darker (Arora and Gupta, 1979).

S. ricini is the commercially cultivated multivoltine silkworm. Six

homozygous strains were classified from S. ricini on the basis of larval

colour and body markings viz. Yellow Plain (YP), Yellow Spotted (YS),

Yellow Zebra (YZ), Greenish Blue Plain (GBP), Greenish Blue Spotted

(GBS), Greenish Blue Zebra (GBZ) (Sarmah et al., 2002). These strains

produce different cocoons of attractive colours like snow white, cream

white, off white, deep brick red and light brick red. Diversity and

distribution pattern of eri silkworm in India is presented in Table 2.

Table 2: Diversity and distribution pattern of eri silkworm in India

S.

No.

Scientific Name Indian Distribution

1. Samia

canningii (Hutton)

Assam, Nagaland, Meghalaya,

Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura,

Arunachal Pradesh, West

Bengal, Uttarakhand, Kerala,

Maharashtra, Himachal

Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir

2. Samia kohlli Naumann

& Peigler

Nagaland (New Report)

3. Samia ricini Boisduval Assam, Nagaland, Meghalaya,

Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura,

Arunachal Pradesh, West

Bengal, Uttarakhand, Uttar

Pradesh Kerala, Maharashtra,

Gujarat Himachal Pradesh,

Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh

4. Samia fulva Jordan Andaman & Nicobar Island

Clarification on name of Samia cynthia in India

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According to the Peigler and Naumann (2003), Samia cynthia was

introduced to many countries around the world, mainly during the latter half

of the nineteenth century for establishing a local silk industry. The

population of S. cynthia is still persist in Slovenia, southern Switzerland,

Austria, France, northern Italy, Japan, around the Black Sea in Georgia and

Russia. S. cynthia was never introduced to India, still researcher using

names Samia cynthia ricini / Samia cynthia / Philosamia ricini / Philosamia

cynthia ricini, which are incorrect and the correct name is S. ricini for

domesticated species and S. canningi for wild species. S. canningi was

mistakenly identified as S. cynthia. Both the species have peculiar

characters in size, color, wing venation and genitalic features. The valvae

are broader in S. canningi and finger like projection is long as compare to S.

ricini. According to recent survey, only three species are found in North

Eastern India viz., Samia ricini, Samia canningi and Samia kohlii. S. fulva

is found in Andaman & Nicobar Island, which is endemic species. It is

recommended that researcher should use current scientific and valid name

of Samia ricini for domesticated species and for wild species Samia

canningi (Figs. 1-10).

Eco-races of eri silkworm

Earlier, twenty-six eco-races of S. ricini have been reported from N.E.

region, characterized and maintained at Central Muga Eri Research and

Training Institute (CMERTI), Lahdoigarh, Jorhat. Among these, ten

accessions (001, 002, 003, 004, 005, 006, 011, 015, 018 and 025) are

considered as promising in terms of overall rearing performance

(Chakravorty et al., 2008). At present, the accession no. 001 (Baruduar),

014 (Kokrajhar) 002 (Titabar) and 010 (Diphu) are reared commercially.

Bio-resources of Eri Silkworm host plants

Based on extent of utilization and palatability to eri silkworm about 24

plant species have been reported as primary, secondary and tertiary food

plants of eri silkworm. Bio-resources of exploited and important forest

based eri food plants available in the region are presented at Table 4.

Exploited bio-resources of Eri Silkworm and its host plants

Several eri silkworm races and eco-races are available in North eastern

region and strains have also been isolated from the Borduar and Titabar eco-

races based on larval colour and marking patterns. The distribution and

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qualitative characters of exploited eri silkworm races, eco-races and strains

are presented at Table 3, while the important forest based eri food plants

available in the region are presented at Table 4. Six different strains viz.,

Yellow Plain, Yellow spotted, Yellow Zebra and, G.B. Plain, G.B. Spotted

and G.B. Zebra have been isolated from the Titabar and Borduar Eco-races

(Table 5). The Kokrajhar eco-race produce brick red cocoons while

remaining eco-races and strains produce white cocoons. Qualitative

characters of exploited eri silkworm races, forest based exploited host plant

diversity of Eri silkworm and Eco-races of eri silkworm and their

characteristics features are presented in Table 3,4 and 5, respectively.

Table 3: Qualitative characters of exploited of Eri silkworm races

Morphological

characters

Samia ricini Samia canningi

A) Egg

i) Colour of egg

shell

ii) Colour of yolk

White

Cream

Cream

Cream, Green

B) Larva

i) Body colour

ii) Marking of skin

iii) Nature of skin

Yellow, Cream,

Blue, Green

Single spot, double

spot, semi-zebra,

Zebra

Weak thorn

Green

Double spot, single

spot

Prominent thorn

C) Cocoon

i) Colour of cocoon

ii) Shape of cocoon

White, Red

Flossy, No peduncle

Cream, Chocolate

Compact with

peduncle

D) Moth

i) Wing color

Brown & black with

pink border

Chocolate, Greenish

E) Voltinism Multivoltine Uni, bi, trivoltine

Table 4: Forest based exploited host plant diversity of Eri silkworm (Samia

ricini D.)

Host plant species Local name Family Distribution

Ricinus communis Castor Euphorbiaceae Throughout India

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Linn.

Manihot utilissima

Phol.

Tapioca Euphorbiaceae N.E & Southern

India

Heteropanax

fragrans Seem.

Kesseru Araliaceae North Eastern

India

Evodia flaxinifolia

Hook.

Payam Rutaceae Nagaland & few

N.E states

Ailanthus grandis

Roxb.

Barpat Simaroubaceae Western &

eastern India

Ailanthus excelsa

Roxb.

Barkesseru Simaroubaceae Northern &

Eastern India

Ailanthus altissima

Miller.

Tree of

heaven

Simaroubaceae North & Eastern

India

Plumeria acutifolia

Poir.

Gulanch Apocynaceae Throughout India

Sterculia colorata

Roxb.

Waljem Sterculiaceae Assam &

Meghalaya

Table 5: Eco-races of eri silkworm and their characteristics features

Acc. No. Larval body colour Cocoon colour

SRI-001 Plain and Zebra on yellow and blue White

SRI-002 Plain and \Zebra on yellow and blue White

SRI-003 Plain yellow and blue White


SRI-005 Plain blue White


SRI-007 Plain yellow White and brick red

SRI-008 Plain and Zebra on Yellow and blue White

SRI-009 Plain and Zebra on Yellow and blue White and brick red

SRI-010 Plain and Zebra on Yellow and blue White


SRI-012 Plain and spotted on yellow & blue White

SRI-013 Plain and Zebra on Yellow and blue White and brick red

SRI-014 Plain yellow and blue Brick red



SRI-017 Plain yellow and blue White and brick red

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SRI-019 Spotted on yellow White

SRI-020 Plain yellow White







(Source: Sarmah et.al. 2012)

Utilization of Eco-races and Strains for breeding programme

There are 26 eco-races of eri silkworm like, Borduar, Titabar,

Khanapara, Kokrajhar, Diphu, Genung, Nongpoh etc. The new eri breed C2

has been developed by hybridization of two potential parents SRI-018

(Genung) and SRI-001 (Borduar) through exerting directional selection at

Regional Eri Research Station, Mendipathar, under Central Muga Eri

Research and Training Institute, Lahdoigarh, Assam and subsequent pre and

post-authorization trials covering more than 4000 farmers and State

Sericulture Farms all over the country. Emphasis for the selection was

given for the economic characters namely, fecundity and shell weight. The

average cocoon shell yield of the breed is 12 to 15 kg per 100 dfls with

higher shell weight of 0.54 g against 0.38 g of local eco races and fecundity

more than 350. The breed was authorized for commercial rearing in eri

growing areas of the country by Hybrid Authorization Committee of Central

Silk Board. The breed has earned its distinction being the first and lone

improved breed developed and adopted by the farmers throughout the

country. The comparative performance of the breed is presented at Table6.

Table 6: Comparative Performance of eri C2 breed

Sl.

No.

Particulars Local eco-races C2 breed

1 Fecundity (No.) 322 356

2 Hatching (%) 79.65 83.90

3 Cocoon yield by number/dfl 203 247

4 Cocoon yield by weight/dfl (kg) 0.587 0.906

5 ERR (%) 79.38 84.02

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6 Single Cocoon weight (g) 2.89 3.67

7 Single Shell weight (g) 0.38 0.54

8 Cocoon shell ratio (%) 13.09 14.80

9 Cocoon shell yield by weight

(kg) per 100 dfls

7.71 13.34

(Source: Ahmed et.al. 2014)

Six pure line strains were isolated (Fig. 11-16) from the heterozygous

population of both Borduar and Titabor eco-races on the basis body colour

and marking patters (Saha et al., 1992). The strains are yellow plain (YP),

yellow zebra (YZ), yellow spotted (YS), greenish blue plain (GBP),

greenish blue zebra (GBZ) and greenish blue spotted (GBS) (Fig. 11-16).

Datta et al. (1999) analysed the combining ability effects and heterosis of

all the crosses and selected seven crosses viz., YPxGBZ, YZxGBS,

GBSxYS, YSxGBS, YZxYS, GBZxYP and GBSxGBZ . The selected seven

crosses were reared to find out the multiple trait evaluation indexes. It

indicated superiority of YZxGBS for ERR %, cocoon weight, shell weight

and GBSxGBZ for fecundity, larval weight and absolute silk yield among

the seven crosses. The field trial of the above two elite crosses of eri

silkworm was conducted by Debraj et al. (2001) and observed that the cross

YZxGBS performed better with considerable gain over control in respect of

fecundity, cocoon weight, shell weight, ERR% and yield per 100 dfls

(Table 7). The crosses could not be adopted among farmers in large scale

though it was found to be promising in improving eri silk production.

Accordingly, fresh breeding plan including isolation of strains, development

of crosses, and maintenance of the stock and large scale field trials initiated

recently at Central Muga Eri Research & Training Institute, Lahdoigarh.

Table 7: Rearing performance of two elite crosses of eri silkworm at

farmers’ level

Parameter YZ x

GBS

(ES1)

GBS x

GBZ

(ES2)

Control Gain over

control

ES1 ES2

Fecundity

(no.)

473 468 447 5.84 4.82

ERR (%) 90.17 87.83 86.04 4.80 2.10

SR (%) 14.44 13.99 13.83 4.41 1.15

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Yield /100

dfls (no.)

39,540 37,213 34,658 14.10 7.37

Properties of Eri cocoons and prospects for utilization of its products

Eri cocoons weigh about 3.0-3.50 gm with shell weight and shell ratio

ranging from 0.40-0.50 gm and 12.5-15.80%, respectively. Eri silk fibre has

2.0-2.5 denier, tenacity of 2.5-3.5 g/denier with 20-30% elongation with

83.0 and 13.0 % fibroin and sericin, respectively. It is finer than Muga and

Tasar, but coarser than Mulberry and the softest and warmest among all

silks. Eri yarn obtained from spinning of cocoons is used to produce fine,

soft fabrics in the form of scarves, shawls, and garments. Products such as

furnishings, stoles, hand bags, caps, jackets, quilts and other diversified

value added materials can also be obtained by virtue of its thermal property

and high blending ability with other fabrics. The cut pierced cocoons (CPC)

generated from eri commercial grainages, flimsy cocoons and spinning

wastes can be used in producing other Spun silk, Noil silk, Ghicha, Jhuri

and core spun yarn etc. Silk wastes/fibres and other raw materials including

filaments can be utilized for manufacturing core spun yarns or silk blend

yarns /fabrics such as silk/wool, silk/cotton, silk/jute by employing the non-

woven production techniques like self/chemical/mechanical bonding for

production of diversified/value added products. Eri raw silk is also blended

with wool, other silks, cotton and synthetic fibers to produce attractive

apparels (Figs. 17-18).

EFFECTIVE UTILIZATION OF BY-PRODUCTS OF ERI

SILKWORM

Uses of Eri Pupae Eri silkworm pupae have rich nutritional values with 53.3% protein,

25.6% fat, 4.4% carbohydrates and 4.0% vitamins on dry weight basis.

Deoiled pupae are also the valuable source of essential amino acids while

pupa oil has pharmaceutical uses. Vitamins like pyridoxal, riboflavin,

thiamine, ascorbic acid, folic acid and minerals like calcium, iron and

phosphorus make the pupae more nutritive (Roychoudhury and Joshi, 1995,

Chaoba Singh and Suryanarayana, 2003). The tribals of North –Eastern

states consume pupae of eri silkworm as a delicacy and apart from human

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consumption, eri pupae are also used as feed in fishery and poultry (Fig. 19,

20).

Pupa skin is made up of Chitin, which is a polysaccaride and the

structure is similar to that of cellulose and can be utilized as commercial

raw material for various industries including pharmaceuticals. Chitosan a

derivative of chitin is soluble in dilute acids and available for commercial

use as it has anti microbial activities against various bacteria and fungi with

excellent wound curing effects. Chitin and chitosan are useful for

enhancement of dissolution of poorly soluble drugs. It is also used in

blending of spun yarn with other fibres and dyeing of silk fabrics.

Biochemical compositions of eri pupa is presented at Table 8.

Table 8: Biochemical compositions of eri pupa

1 Nutrients 2 Qty. dry wt.

basis

3 Qty. wet wt.

basis

Moisture (%) 9.1 71.8

Total ash (%) 4.2 1.3

Protein (%) 53.3 16.54

Fat (%) 25.6 7.94

Crude fibre (%) 3.4 1.05

Carbohydrates (%) 4.4 1.37

Calorific value (k.cal/100

gm)

460 133

Calcium (mg/100 gm) 76.1 23.6

Iron (mg/100 gm) 2.6 0.81

Phosphorus (mg/100 gm) 586 182

Vitamin A (IU/gm) 4.0 1.23

(Source: CFTRI, Mysore, Karnataka)

Cycling of eri culture waste Large quantity of silk worm litters and excreta are produced during eri

silk worm rearing. The unused leaves/ stalk/petioles of food plants are

recyclable waste. Litters/ excreta mix with cow dung becomes a good source

of manure while silkworm waste is valuable source of Biogas. One hectare

of castor plantation yields more than 4000 kg litters and 438 kg excreta if it

is raised solely for eri silkworm rearing. Silkworm litters can be effectively

used as raw material in the bio-gas plant along with cow dung to produce

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fuel. It is also used as fish meal and in preparation of vermicompost, which

is a good source of organic manure for mushroom culture and floriculture.

Dead worms/Litters/Excreta

During silkworm rearing, irregular, rejected, injured and dead larvae

are picked up and discarded which are ideal poultry feed because of higher

protein content. Cast out larval skin is good food for poultry. It is estimated

that about 45% of the total leaves fed to the silkworm goes as waste in the

form of unused leaves and shoots. The silkworms ingest only 40% of the

leaf provided in trays and about 55% of the ingested leaf is digested and the

rest is converted as waste litter (Hanumappa and Prabhakar, 1985).

CONCLUSION

There is urgent need for protection of existing bio-resources of eri

silkworm and its host plants through conservation, sustainable management

of forest resources and preservation of traditional knowledge. The alarming

rate of erosion of biodiversity in the region through various factors is a

matter of grave concern. This also results in deprivation of livelihoods to

large scale tribal populace, dwellers in forest fringes and economically

backward communities associated with ericulture. Suitable R&D

programme should be initiated for In-situ and ex-situ conservation of the

wild eri silkworm species besides development of high yielding

breed/hybrid of eri silkworm. Biotechnological approach to evolve high

yielding disease tolerant race/strain in eri silkworm, identification and

isolation of viral and bacterial diseases of eri host plant/silkworm and

development of rapid diagnostic techniques for detection of viral and

bacterial diseases of eri silkworm should also be the areas of priority.

Hence, strategies should be drawn for taping and sustainable use of

available bio-resources with proper R& D support for crop improvement,

product diversification and effective utilization of by-products for ensuring

ericulture as sustainable source of livelihood and employment generation to

economically weaker communities of the region.

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Roychoudhury and Joshi, K.C. (1995). Silkworm pupae as human food.

Indian Silk, 34 (3): P.10.

Sharma, M.C., Debaraj,Y., Singh, B.K., Das, P.K. and Suryanarayana, N.

(2002). Status paper on eri host plant Germplasm. Proc. National

workshop on Sericultural Germplam Management and Utilization,

Hosur, Tamil Nadu, 6-7th

February 2002 pp. 59-61

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Singh, B.K., Debaraj, Y., Sarmah, M.C., Das, P.K. and Suryanarayana, N.

(2003). Eco-races of eri silkworm. Indian Silk, 5: 7-10

Singh, B.K., Tiken Singh, N., Das, Bitopan, Bhattacharya, A. Bhuyan,

Nizora and Jayaprakash, P. (2013). Biodiversity of Eri silkworm and its

host plants of North East India: Prospects for utilization of their

byproducts, Abs: National Seminar on Burning Environmental Issues:

Risk to Biodiversity and Human Health, with special reference to North

East India, St. Mary’s Collge, Shillong, May, 2013, pp. 81-82

Singh, B.K., Sahu, J., Krishna Rao J.V. and Das, P.K (2004). Utilization of

by-products of eri silkworm Samia ricini (Donovan). Proc. National

Workshop on Potential and Strategies for Sustainable Development of

Vanya Silk in the Himalayan States, Dehradun, pp. 462-466

Suryanarayana N and Chaoba Singh K. (2003): Muga and Ericulture and

Forestry in North Eastern India. Proc. National Workshop on wild silks

Culture and Forestry, Dehradun. pp. 21-22.

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Figs. 1-10: Samia canningi, 1. adult moth, 2. Larva and cocoon on soalu (Litsea

monopetala), 6. Male genitalia, 8. Aedeagus; Samia ricini – 3. Adult moth, 4.

Cocoons, 5. Larvae, 7. Male genitalia, 9. Aedeagus; Samia kohlli – 10. Adult moth

collected in light trap.

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Fig. 11: Yellow plain Fig. 12: Yellow spotted

Fig. 13: Yellow Zebra Fig. 14: G.B. Plain

Fig. 15: GB Spotted Fig. 16: GB Zebra

Figs. 11-16: Different strains of eri silkworm (Samia ricini Don)

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Fig. 17: Exclusive Eri fabrics Fig. 18: Eri cloths

Fig. 19: Eri Pupae Fig. 20: Eri pupae recipe

diversity of genus samia (lepidoptera: … 3/session 3... · of various host plants and silkworms...

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