IMPACT OF FOOD PLANT AND WEATHER PARAMETERS ON LONGEVITY OF FEMALE MUGA SILKWORM ANTHERAEA ASSAMA WESTWOOD

Studies on impact of food plant and weather parameters on longevity of female
muga silkworm Antheraea assama under terai climatic conditions of West Bengal,
India revealed that the pre-oviposition period was higher on soalu (Litsea polyantha
Juss.) (1.60 days) than som (Machilus bombycina King) (1.57 days). The higher preoviposition
period (1.93 days) was recorded during December-February. The oviposition
period was more on som (3.79 days) than soalu (3.36 days). The maximum (4.35
days) and minimum (2.69 days) mean oviposition period were recorded in September-
October and March-April. The post-oviposition period was longest (1.11 days) on
soalu than som (0.85 days). It was longest in September-October (1.28 days) and
shortest in March-April (0.82 dyas). The adult from som fed stock lived long (6.15
days) as compared to that of soalu fed stock (6.09 days). The adult longevity was
longest in September-October (6.97 days) and shortest in March-April (4.94 days).
The period of pre-oviposition, oviposition, post-oviposition and adult longevity varied
over food plants and seasons due to variation in climatic conditions.