Evaluation of Indoor and Outdoor Biology and Performance of Tasar Silkworm (Antheraea mylitta Drury) on Badam (Terminalia catappa L.)

Study on biology and performance of tasar silkworm, Antheraea mylitta Drury under indoor and outdoor rearing conditions was carried out on Badam (Terminalia catappa) at Entomology Section, College of Agriculture, Pune during July 2023 - Sept 2023. The mean incubation, larval, pupal and adult period lasted for 8.24 ± 0.60, 34.6 ± 1.22, 23.56 ± 0.82 and 6.92 ± 0.81 days under indoor conditions and 8.88 ± 0.53, 37.56 ± 0.71, 25.54 ± 0.44 and 7.32 ± 1.14 days outdoor conditions. One generation was completed in 73.32 ± 1.65 and 79.00 ± 1.22 days under indoor and outdoor rearing conditions, respectively. Newly hatched larvae measured 13.20 ± 1.21 mm in length, 1.91 ± 0.60 mm in breadth and 0.06 ± 0.01 g in weight under indoor condition, while outdoor reared larvae measured 13.50 ± 1.19 mm in length, 2.24 ± 0.64 mm in breadth and 0.07 ± 0.01 g in weight. Full fed larvae measured 93.96 ± 4.91 mm in length, 19.90 ± 1.71 mm in breadth and 17.98 ± 1.55 g in weight under indoor condition, while outdoor reared larvae measured 103.36 ± 5.86 mm in length, 20.96 ± 1.15 mm in breadth and 21.68 ± 1.82 g in weight. Cocoon was greyish-white, oval and having rough texture. It had fine, net-like markings and prominent sturdy peduncle. The average length, breadth, peduncle length and weight of cocoon was 4.06 ± 0.36, 2.30 ± 0.22, 3.99 ± 0.32 cm and 8.63 ± 0.35 g, respectively at indoor condition. while at outdoor condition it was recorded 4.95 ± 0.26, 2.82 ± 0.16, 5.18 ± 0.36 cm and 10.33 ± 0.50g, respectively. Eggs were oval, ellipsoidal, slightly flat and bilaterally symmetrical in shape and exhibited light brown to whitish cream colour. Indoor reared silk moth had an average fecundity of 176.96 ± 31.23 eggs/ female while those reared outdoor had average fecundity of 191.32 ± 28.72 eggs.