Winter Energy Budget of Larva of Indian Tropical Tasar Silk Insect Antheraea mylitta Drury Living in the Host Plant Shorea robusta

Abstract

Energy budget of larva of Antheraea mylitta Drury living in Shorea robusta Gaertn host plant was prepared in winter season. During fifth instar the rate of food energy consumption, absorption, body growth, silk gland growth and respiration increased suddenly in comparison to other instars. The amount of consumption, absorption, body tissue growth and silk gland growth during fifth instar only was about 82, 83, 82 and 97% respectively of the total amount used in the entire larval period. At fifth instar the female larva showed significantly higher overall efficiencies than male larva. There was a gradual increase in amount of energy stored per mg dry body weight from first to fifth instar. Female larva showed higher value than male larva. The absorption and growth efficiency was lowest in 2nd instar. So it is the most vulnerable instar needing more care during rearing. Highest all-round efficiency was observed in case of fifth instar larva. So optimum care during feeding and rearing should be given to fifth instar larva in order to maximize silk productivity.