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 pre-oviposition 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.