Central Muga Eri Research & Training Institute, Central Silk Board-Lahdoigarh, Jorhat, Assam E-mail: dgoswamicsb@yahoo.co.in
Online published on 20 September, 2012.
The effect of coupling duration on the fecundity and fertility of muga silkworm, Antheraea assama Ww during different seasons was studied. Significant variations in fecundity and hatching due to coupling durations were observed. It was observed that during summer 180 min coupling duration was adequate to obtain optimum hatching while during winter 300 min was required. Male moths can be reused for second mating during winter after resting for 2–4 hrs of 1st decoupling, without affecting the fertility while, multiple utilization of male moths during summer cannot be recommended. For multiple uses of male moths during winter season, 300 minutes coupling duration was adequate to obtain maximum hatching.
Antheraea assama, coupling duration, fecundity, hatching
