Question

Muga silkworm feeds on
(a) Shorea
(b) Terminalis
(c) Machilus
(d) Modus

Answer 1

Hint: It belongs to the family Lauraceae that is mostly occurring in the region of China, Japan, and Korea. It is commonly called as Som and Sualu on which the muga silkworm feeds and produces a shiny golden fine quality silk.

Complete Step by Step Answer:
Muga silkworm feeds on the leaves of the plants of Machilus bombycina, commonly called Som and Litsea polyantha, commonly called Sualu. They generally are found in the Chinese region and its surrounding countries where the production of silk is much higher.
- Muga silk is generally said to belong to the group of silkworm of Assamese origin called Antheraea assamensis.
- They produce silk of good quality and texture that has a higher shelf life, durability, and is light yellowish in color.
- The texture of the silk is glossy with shimmery light golden colored silk threads and was earlier used only by royals.
- The Som and Soalu plants are present in the Brahmaputra valley where the larvae of the silkworm feed upon their leaves.
- The silk obtained is then washed to increase the luster and is then bleached or dyed.
- The Machilus trees are having bisexual flowers with alternately arranged leaves.
So, the correct answer is ‘(c) Machilus’.

Note: Since ancient times Assam was well known for its production of silk, it was well known for the process of Sericulture. It was also introduced in some of the religious books including Ramayana. The silk was named muga due to the description of the colors in the Arthashastra as the color of the butter, and also as red as the sun with the best quality.