Question

Which species produces superior quality silk?
A. Attacus ricini
B. Bombyx mori
C. Antheraea assamensis
D. Attacus atlas

Answer 1

 HINT:
Silk is an organic protein fibre that can be woven into the textiles. The protein fibres produced by the silkworms when exposed to air hardens and produce silk fibre. Different types of silkworms produce different types of silk. One of the most common silk moths is the mulberry silk moth.

COMPLETE STEP BY STEP ANSWER:
Four different types of silk are recognised from the different silk months.
Mulberry silk: The mulberry silk is considered to be one of the finest and superior quality of silk due to its shiny and creamy white colour. It is secreted from the silk proteins produced by the caterpillar Bombyx mori which feeds on mulberry leaves.
Eri silk: Eri silk is secreted from the caterpillar of Attacus ricini which feeds on castor leaves. The silk produced from this moth is also of good quality white creamy silk but it is less shiny than mulberry silk.
Munga silk: This silk is produced from the silk proteins extracted from the caterpillar of Antheraea assamensis which feeds on Som, Champa and Moyankuri.
Tasar silk: It is a coppery-coloured silk produced from the caterpillar of Antheraea mylitta. It feeds on the leaves of Arjun, Sal and oak etc.
Brownish and wooly silk is produced from a wild silkworm Attacus atlas. It is very durable.

Option ‘B’ is correct

NOTE:
Sericulture is the process of production of silk. The silk is produced from Bombyx mori for commercial purposes in captivity. Silk has good moisture regain and loses its strength when they are wet.