Silk is another valuable product from the insect world. The silk is obtained as fine threads from the cocoons of various species of silkworms. Sericulture is the scientific management of production and marketing of natural silk from silkworms.
Types of Silk worms
1. Mulberry silkworm - Bombyx mori : This is a completely domesticated insect. Since the natural food of this worm is mulberry leaves, it is called mulberry silk worm. The silk produced by this moth is white in colour. It is called the mulberry silk.
2. Tasar Silk worm : Antheraea paphia
This caterpillar feeds on ber, oak, sal and fig plants. The cocoon produced by this worm is smooth and hard. It is of hen’s egg size. The cocoon yields reelable, brown coloured Tasar silk.
3. Muga Silk worm: Antheraea assamensis: The native place of this species is Assam where it has now become a good source of cottage industry. The silk produced by this moth is known as Muga silk.
4. Eri Silk worm : Attacus ricinii
The caterpillar of this worm feeds on castor leaves. The cocoons of this worm have very loose texture and the silk produced is called as Arandi silk locally. The threads are not glossy but much durable.
The sericulture plays a significant role in the rural economy of ourcountry. The Chinese have the credit of discovering silk. It was kept as a secret for several centuries. India now occupies a unique position in the world for its rich sericigenous fauna to produce pure mulberry silk as well as the three other varieties of non-mulberry silks.
Uses of silk
The raw silk is used in the manufacture of woven materials, knitted fabrics and garments. It is also used in parachutes, parachute cords, fishing lines, as sieves in flour mills, insulation coil for telephones and wireless
receivers, and tyres of racing cars.
Types of Silk worms
1. Mulberry silkworm - Bombyx mori : This is a completely domesticated insect. Since the natural food of this worm is mulberry leaves, it is called mulberry silk worm. The silk produced by this moth is white in colour. It is called the mulberry silk.
2. Tasar Silk worm : Antheraea paphia
This caterpillar feeds on ber, oak, sal and fig plants. The cocoon produced by this worm is smooth and hard. It is of hen’s egg size. The cocoon yields reelable, brown coloured Tasar silk.
3. Muga Silk worm: Antheraea assamensis: The native place of this species is Assam where it has now become a good source of cottage industry. The silk produced by this moth is known as Muga silk.
4. Eri Silk worm : Attacus ricinii
The caterpillar of this worm feeds on castor leaves. The cocoons of this worm have very loose texture and the silk produced is called as Arandi silk locally. The threads are not glossy but much durable.
The sericulture plays a significant role in the rural economy of ourcountry. The Chinese have the credit of discovering silk. It was kept as a secret for several centuries. India now occupies a unique position in the world for its rich sericigenous fauna to produce pure mulberry silk as well as the three other varieties of non-mulberry silks.
Uses of silk
The raw silk is used in the manufacture of woven materials, knitted fabrics and garments. It is also used in parachutes, parachute cords, fishing lines, as sieves in flour mills, insulation coil for telephones and wireless
receivers, and tyres of racing cars.
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