Ex-situ Stabilization and Utility Prospects of 'Jata' Ecorace of Tropical Tasar Silkworm Antheraea mylitta Drury

• Published in: International Journal of Industrial Entomology 2008, 17(2), , pp.169-172
• Main Authors: Hansda, G. (Central Tasar Research and Training Institute, Ranchi, India), Manohar Reddy, R. (Central Tasar Research and Training Institute, Ranchi, India), E-mail: [e-mail], Sinha, M.K. (Central Tasar Research and Training Institute, Ranchi, India), Ojha, N.G. (Central Tasar Research and Training Institute, Ranchi, India), Vijaya Prakash, N.B. (Central Tasar Research and Training Institute, Ranchi, India)
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: ANTHERAEA MYLITTA; Daba; Ecorace; Ex-situ; In-situ; Jata; Sukinda; 농학
• ISSN: 1598-3579; 2586-4785

Indian tropical tasar silkworm, Antheraea mylitta D is reported to have forty four ecoraces by way of their adoption to different topographical and vegetational conditions. Of late, another ecorace 'JATA' - univoltine under in-situ condition has been explored which is localized in Thakurmunda area of the foot hills of Simlipal biosphere (Mayurbhanj district) of Orissa, India. The ecorace 'Jata' exhibits superior economic characters over widely commercialized ecoraces of Daba and Sukinda. The cocoon production of localized 'Jata' ecorace is depleting day by day in in-situ condition. In the present study, efforts were made to stabilize the ecorace 'Jata' under ex-situ condition at Ranchi (Jharkhand), where the 'Jata' ecorace silkworms were reared on Terminalia tomentosa for four successive generations during 2006 and 2007 and the cocoons were preserved in grainage house under prevailing climatic conditions. The results indicated change in voltinism behaviour of the 'Jata' ecorace from univoltine to bivoltine. The rearing performance and grainage efficiencies indicate the tendency of 'Jata' ecorace towards acclimatization and stabilization under Ranchi climatic conditions. The 'Jata' ecorace manifests the prospects for acclimatization, stabilization and commercial exploitation.