Abstract

Biochemical Analysis of Haemolymph of Antheraea mylitta

Author(s): Joy Kishan Sharma H, Manish Kumar and Ashish

The objectives of this study on the “Biochemical analysis of haemolymph of Tasar silkworms” is to search base line ways and means for improving silk performance attributes which are needed in generating rural livelihood employment and earning of foreign revenues. Antheraea mylitta Drury is a holometabolous insect with eggs, larva, pupa, cocoon and adult are stages in its life cycle. There are five larval instars which feed on the primary host plants like Arjun (Terminalia arjuna), Asan (Terminaliatomentosa), Sal (Shorearobusta) apart with a number of host plants of secondary importance. The larvae voraciously feed on the leaves of their host plants and 5th instars larva spins the silk around it and forms the cocoon from which Tasar silk is reeled. Silkworms are being used as bio-factory for the production of useful silk proteins which are natural polymers and are biodegradable, with reactive functional groups that open possibilities to link the crops with other polymers to be used in controlled delivery system.