Q.Differentiate between Bivoltine and Multivoltine silk moth with one example.

Eri silk, a non-mulberry silk valued for its durability, is obtained from the silkworm Attacus ricini, which feeds primarily on castor (Ricinus) leaves.

Sericulture in India produces several distinct types of silk, each from a different silk moth species with its own host plant. Mulberry silk, the most common, comes from Bombyx mori, which feeds on mulberry leaves. Among the non-mulberry (vanya) silks: Eri silk is obtained from Attacus ricini (also classified as Samia ricini or Philosamia ricini), whose larvae feed mainly on castor plant leaves — hence the species name 'ricini'. Eri silk is known for its warmth, durability, and is sometimes called 'Ahimsa silk' because the moth is typically allowed to emerge before the cocoon is processed. Tasar silk is obtained from Antheraea mylitta, which feeds on Terminalia and other forest trees, while Muga silk, a golden-yellow silk unique to Assam, is obtained from Antheraea assamensis, which f …

Stifling is the process of killing the silkworm pupa inside its cocoon, done before reeling, so the continuous silk filament is not cut by the emerging moth.

In commercial sericulture, cocoons are harvested a few days after the larva pupates inside them. If left undisturbed, the adult moth would eventually secrete a fluid to dissolve part of the cocoon and force its way out, snapping the single continuous silk filament into many short, commercially useless pieces. To prevent this, cocoons meant for silk production are stifled — the live pupa inside is killed by exposing the cocoons to hot sunlight, steam, or hot air/dry heat. Only a small reserved batch of cocoons is left unstifled so the moths can emerge, mate, and lay eggs for the next generation.

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