Evaluation of Effective Concentration of Honey Through Bio-Assay of Eri Silkworm, Samia Cynthia Riciniboisduval

<p>Ericulture is mainly confined to North-eastern states of India since the time ancient time of an integral part of the local tribals. Ericulture, which is traditionally rearing of the eri silkworms (Samia Cynthia ricini) primarily for pupae as food purposes and silk fabric for their family use. The main hindrance faced was production would be an uneconomical because of the similar food habits. Here, eri silkworms were reared using their primary food Castor leaves (Ricinus  communis) along with the supplementation of honey and the performance of economic parameters and the changes in bio- chemical compositionsviz., Protein and Carbohydrate content in different tissues viz., Haemolymph, Fat body & Silk gland  were recorded in 4th and 5th instar larvae. Leaves with different concentration 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5% of honey was dipped and dried under the shade, along with distilled water dipped and normal leaves as controls were fed for 4th and 5th instar Eri silkworms and the economic and nutritional results were recorded. Larvae fed with 5% concentration showed the highest nutritional contents like protein and carbohydrate, followed by 4% to 1% over controls in Haemolymph, fat body and silk gland. As well quantitative traits like larval weight, cocoon weight and pupal weightwere also exhibited increase in their quantitative character in 5% subsequently 4% to 1% above controls but in case of shell weight, shell ratio and silk productivity 3% showed highest weight. The research findings presented in the study suggest or hint at a particular conclusion, that castor leaves with the honey is the suitable diet for Samia Cynthia ricinito escalate the quantitative and qualitative characters.</p>