Question

Silkworms feed on
(a) Som, castor, mulberry
(b) Sal, som, mulberry
(c) Sal, saja, som
(d) Castor, sal, som

Answer 1

Hint: The species of silkworm found in Assam predominantly feed on these plants. Chewing of beans of the second variety of plants can be fatal. Species of silkworms have been classified based on their feeding habit on the third variety of trees.

Complete answer:
Silkworms feed on some, castor, and mulberry leaves.
There are a variety of species of silkworms that feed on the leaves of different types of plants. The silkworms that feed on mulberry leaves are called mulberry silkworms, while non-mulberry silkworms survive on other plants like castor, som, oak, juniper, pine, etc. Hence, leaving mulberry all other varieties of silks are called non-mulberry silks.
Generally, Som is used for the rearing of muga silkworm in upper Assam, while Soalu is used in lower Assam. Some trees are more prevalent in upper Assam and produce reeling cocoons whereas Soalu is more common in lower Assam and produces seed cocoons.
Important food plants of tasar silkworm are Arjun (Terminalia arjuna), Asan (Terminalia tomentosa), and Sal (Shorea robusta Gaertn). The temperate species of this silkworm, namely, Antheraea proylei Jolly, feeds on different species of Quercus which are widely distributed in this region.
The primary food of Eri silkworms is Castor (Ricinus communis Linn).
- Domesticated silkworms are the foundation of sericulture.
- Silkworms primarily feed on mulberry leaves.
So, the correct answer is the som, castor, and mulberry leaves.

Note:
- Sericulture is a process of rearing silkworms for commercial silk production.
- Castor Oil Plant is also called as castor beans. It has great commercial use in pharmaceutical industries. It is also used in landscaping.