Semi-synthetic diets for young age rearing of tropical Tasar silkworm, Antheraea mylitta drury.

Nineteen semi synthetic diets were tested for rearing of young age larvae of Tasar silkworm, Antheraea mylitta Drury in indoor condition and transferred to on host plant Terminalia tomentosa (Asan) under in outdoor condition to observe the survival and growth. The higher survival of young age larvae (1 and 2 instar) was observed on diets containing on dry leaf powder i.e. D13 to D-19. The larval duration was more or less similar to control lots. Diets containing Terminalia tomentosa (Asan) or T. arjuna (Arjun) leaf powder were preformed better than Shorea robusta (Sal) leaf powder. The survival of young age larvae was very poor on D-1 to D-12. The 3 instar larvae (day1) were shifted from semi synthetic diets to on host plant T. tomentosa (Asan) under in outdoor condition and survival was observed to be higher on diet fed larvae of D-17 (74%), D-19 (72%), D-16 (72%) and D-18 (70%). During 4 instar, survivability was maximum on diet fed larvae of D-17 (64%) followed by D-16 (63%) and D-19 (62%) in comparison to control (68%). The survival percentage and cocoon yield was higher on diet fed larvae of D-19 (38 cocoons) followed by D-17 (37 cocoons) and D-16 (36 cocoons) against control (48 cocoons) per 100 larvae. No significant difference was observed in larval duration and growth of diet fed larvae and control lots.