Studies on the biodiversity of tasar ecoraces Antheraea mylitta Drury

Abstract

Tasar silk is produced from the tasar silkworms (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) which has many ecoraces principally controlled by prevailing environmental conditions. The tasar silkworms are cultivated ex-situ in natural forests, however, some attempts have been made for its semi- domestication. Tasar culture is a traditional livelihood for lakhs of tribal population in our country. The present study depicts the variation in the different stages ofrntasar silkworm Antheraea mylitta Drury which is distributed in the form of ecoraces in varied geographical areas. From the studies it is observed that rich biological diversity of Antheraea mylitta Drury mainly is due to its wide range of distribution, climatic factors, and food plants etc., which have led to variations in their ethology and physiology.