Related Terminologies in Sericulture

1. Sericulture: The rearing of silkworms for the production of raw silk. It involves the breeding and cultivation of silkworms and the processing of silk fibers from the cocoons to produce silk.
2. Moriculture:The cultivation of mulberry plants, which are the primary food source for silkworms. Mulberry trees provide the leaves essential for silkworm rearing, which is a crucial aspect of sericulture.
3. Cocoon: A protective covering made by the larvae of insects belonging to the moth and butterfly groups, particularly the silkworm. The cocoon is spun by the silkworm larvae to protect the pupa as it undergoes metamorphosis.
4. Dupion: Irregular, rough silk reeled from double cocoons. Dupion silk is produced when two silkworms spin their cocoons together, and the fibers are tangled, resulting in a coarser, thicker texture.
5. Green Cocoon: Freshly harvested cocoons that contain live pupae inside. Green cocoons are important in sericulture as they are typically harvested before the pupa has undergone metamorphosis to moth.
6. Inherited Genetic Character: Traits or characteristics that are passed from the parent organisms to their offspring through genetic inheritance. In sericulture, the inherited genetic traits of the silkworm (such as size, silk yield, and resistance to disease) are important for selecting breeding stocks.
7. Integument: The hard outermost layer of the insect’s body, serving as a protective covering. The integument is essential for protecting the silkworm from external threats during its growth stages.
8. Metamorphosis: A complete change in morphology during the life cycle of an insect, including silkworms. Silkworms undergo metamorphosis from egg to larva (caterpillar), then pupa (cocoon), and finally emerge as moths.
9. Mountage: A device used for supporting silkworm larvae during cocoon formation. The mountage helps silkworm larvae attach themselves while spinning their cocoons.
10. Raw Silk: The fiber made from the combination of filaments from several cocoons. Raw silk is the product of reeling multiple cocoons together and forms the base material used in silk textiles.
11. Reelers: People who convert harvested cocoons into silk yarn. Reelers are skilled workers in the sericulture industry who reel the silk fibers from the cocoon to produce silk threads.
12. Urination: The process by which silkworm larvae excrete water before the formation of the cocoon. This excretion is a natural part of the silkworm’s pre-cocooning behavior, preparing its body for spinning the cocoon.

Types of Silkworms:

1. Mulberry Silk

• Scientific Name of Silkworm: Bombyx mori L.
• Food Plant: Mulberry (Morus spp.)
• Nature of Rearing: Mulberry silkworms are fully domesticated and reared indoors. They exclusively feed on mulberry leaves.
• Economic Importance: This variety accounts for the bulk of global silk production. It is regarded as the most commercialized silk and typically represents the general term “silk” in the textile industry. It produces a fine, smooth, and lustrous silk, highly valued in the fashion and textile industries.
• Geographical Distribution: India: The main producers of mulberry silk are Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Jammu & Kashmir. These states together contribute to 92% of India’s total mulberry silk production.
• Silk Characteristics: Mulberry silk is known for its softness, high sheen, and strength. It is often used in making fine fabrics, garments (sarees, suits, etc.), and home textiles (curtains, upholstery).

2. Tasar Silk

• Scientific Name of Silkworm: Antheraea mylitta
• Food Plants: Asan (Terminalia arjuna) and Arjun (Terminalia tomentosa).
• Nature of Rearing: Unlike mulberry silkworms, tasar silkworms are semi-domesticated and thrive in the wild. They are reared outdoors, typically in forests or on trees.
• Economic Importance: Tasar silk is coarser and less lustrous than mulberry silk, but it has its own aesthetic appeal and is often used for less refined fabrics like upholstery, drapery, and interiors. It is an important product for the tribal communities of India, providing both livelihood and cultural significance.
• Geographical Distribution: India: Major tasar silk-producing states include Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Orissa, Maharashtra, West Bengal, and Andhra Pradesh. Tasar culture is a vital activity for many tribal communities in these regions.
• Silk Characteristics: Tasar silk has a characteristic copperish or golden-brown color and a slightly coarse texture compared to mulberry silk.
• Uses: Typically used in the production of textiles like sarees, home furnishings, and interior decor items.

3. Oak Tasar Silk

• Scientific Name of Silkworm: Antheraea proyeli J.
• Food Plants: Oak trees (Quercus spp.).
• Nature of Rearing: Oak tasar silkworms are reared in the wild, predominantly on oak trees found in sub-Himalayan regions.
• Economic Importance: Oak tasar silk is a finer variety of tasar silk and is prized for its strength and durability. It is primarily produced in India but also cultivated in China using a different silkworm species, Antheraea pernyi.
• Geographical Distribution: India: It is mainly produced in the sub-Himalayan belt of India, covering states like Manipur, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, and Jammu & Kashmir. China: Antheraea pernyi is used in China to produce oak tasar silk.
• Silk Characteristics: Oak tasar silk is finer and smoother than regular tasar silk, with a more refined texture.
• Uses: Oak tasar is primarily used for high-quality textiles, often for the production of garments and home textiles.

4. Eri Silk

• Scientific Name of Silkworm: Philosamia ricini
• Food Plant: Castor plant (Ricinus communis).
• Nature of Rearing: Eri silkworms are multivoltine (able to breed multiple generations in a year) and are reared domestically but on open-ended cocoons, unlike other silkworms that form closed cocoons. Eri silkworms are often reared in small-scale farming operations or even within households. This type of silkworm is used to produce silk that is more resistant and durable than mulberry silk, but it is less lustrous.
• Economic Importance: Eri silk is primarily produced in the northeastern states of India, where it is part of a subsistence economy for many tribal communities. Unlike other silks, eri cocoons are open-mouthed and spun by hand, making it a more rustic and organic silk.
• Geographical Distribution: India: Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, and parts of Bihar, West Bengal, and Orissa are the major areas where Eri culture is practiced.
• Silk Characteristics: Eri silk is soft, but it is less shiny than mulberry and tasar silks. It is often described as having a warm texture. The process of making eri silk is more labor-intensive because of the open-ended cocoon and hand-spinning.
• Uses: Eri silk is used for making traditional garments like chaddars, shawls, and tribal wraps, as well as home textiles. In some communities, the pupae of the eri silkworm are also used as a protein-rich food source.

5. Muga Silk

• Scientific Name of Silkworm: Antheraea assamensis
• Food Plants: Som (Machilus bombycina) and Soalu (Litsaea monopetala).
• Nature of Rearing: Muga silkworms are semi-domesticated and are typically reared in the wild on trees. The trees are primarily found in the state of Assam, and the silkworms are well-adapted to the local environment.
• Economic Importance: Muga silk is extremely valuable due to its unique golden color and the fact that it is exclusive to India. It holds significant cultural and historical importance in Assam, where it is considered a symbol of wealth and prosperity.
• Geographical Distribution: India: Assam is the primary producer of muga silk, and it is deeply intertwined with the state’s culture and tradition.
• Silk Characteristics: Muga silk is naturally golden yellow in color and has a distinct smoothness and luster. It is durable and has a fine texture.
• Uses: Muga silk is used to create high-quality, traditional products such as sarees, mekhalas (traditional Assamese garments), and chaddars. These items are often worn during festivals, weddings, and cultural ceremonies.