Question

Which of the following species of silkworm are found in India?
A. Bombyx mori
B. Antheraea paphia
C. Keria
D. All of the above

Answer 1

Hint: Cultivation or rearing of special organisms need a lot of focus and determination. The adequate environment and nutrition must be taken care of. They are usually raised for self economic purposes. We can obtain various products from them.

Complete answer:
Rearing of the silkworm is called silk farming. They are cultivated to produce silk which is sold for economic purposes. There are various commercially used silkworm species throughout the world.
Option A: Bombyx mori: It is silk moth which is very important for economic purposes. It produces silk by feeding on mulberry leaves. It is native to China. It has undergone complete domestication so they are completely used for economic purposes.
Option B: Antheraea paphia: It is a moth of the Saturniidae family. It is found in India. The larvae of this particular moth feed on trees like A. latifolia, T. arjuna and Madhuca indica. The other name of the moth is tussah silk, named after the fabric it gives.
Option C: Keria: It is an insect which is the main source of lac – a resin. It is native to Asia. It also gives dye and wax used for economic purposes.

Hence the correct answer is OPTION(B)

Note: Antheraea paphia is the south India small tussore. It has brown forewings and has reddish yellowish body colour in males. In females, the body colour is somewhat pinkish brown. It belongs to the phylum Arthropoda. They have spiracles to breathe. Their cocoon or larvae are almost brownish grey. It is hard and oval. It is attached via a peduncle to its host.