STUDIES ON REARING PERFORMANCE OF MUGA SILKWORM (ANTHERAEA ASSAMA) IN TERAI REGION OF WEST BENGAL (INDIA) - A NEWLY EXPLORED AREA

摘要

A preliminary investigation on muga silkworm (Antheraea assama Westwood) rearing as well as grainage was undertaken during nine different seasons (February-March, April-May, May-June, July-August, August-September, October-November, November-December,December-February, and January-March) during 2000-2003 to identify the suitable season for commercial and seed crop rearing for successful introduction of mugaculture in Terai region of West Bengal, India, a newly explored area. Rearing and grainage parameters were better during Oct. - Nov. (Effective rate of rearing: 49.20 %, Yield: 32.07 kg, Fecundity: 283, Hatchability: 98.87 %) followed by Apr. - May and minimum during July - Aug. (Effective Rate of Rearing: 10.60 %, Yield: 6.39 kg, Fecundity: 188,Hatchability: 6.24 %).