Question

The scientific name of moth which produces tasar is:
a. Bombyx mori
b. Antheraea mylitta
c. Antheraea assamensis
d. Philosamia ricini

Answer 1

Hint: A moth is an insect which has two pairs of wings which are broad and covered with minute scales. Their wings are dull grayish or yellow-brown in color and are held flat when at rest. These are chiefly nocturnal (animals that are active during night) and lack the presence of antennae like butterflies.

Complete answer:
Silk is a natural protein fiber which can be woven into textiles. The protein fiber of silk is made up of fibroin and is produced by some insect’s larvae to form cocoons.

> The most common silk is obtained from domestic silk moths that is mulberry silk moth, also called Bombyx mori which is commercially reared in captivity. This process is called sericulture. It feeds on mulberry leaves. The sparkling effect of silk is due to the prism-like structure of the silk fiber which causes refraction when light from different angles is incident on it.

> Antheraea mylitta is a species of moth belonging to the family of saturniidae. It is also called a tasar silkworm as it produces the tasar silk. Tasar silk is a wild silk which is produced by a number of moths belonging to the family of saturniidae. Also, this species is native to India and feeds on Terminalia trees and Shorea robusta (sal trees) and many other plants.

> Antheraea assamensis is also a member of family saturniidae which is commonly called as muga silkworm in larval stage and Assam silk moth as an adult. It is named so because it is found in Assam and 99 percent of its production occurs in Assam. Its larva feeds on oak, cinnamomum, laurus, litsea etc. this silk, one of the tasar silk has a glossy golden color which gets darken with age and washing.

> Philosamia ricini produces Eri silk and comes from the caterpillar Samia ricni. Its name Eri is derived from Assamese word era meaning castor. It is named so because this moth feeds on a castor plant. This silkworm is found in northeast India and some parts of China and Japan. The Eri silkworm is the only silkworm that is completely domesticated other than Bombyx mori.

Hence, The correct answer is option (B).

Note: The silk in India is a luxury good as about 97 percent of the raw mulberry silk is produced by five states of India making it as the second highest producer of the raw silk after China. These include Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, west Bengal and Gujarat.