| Muga silkworm (Antheraea assamensis) is an insect belonging to Lepidoptera, Saturniidae, Antheraea. The silk reeled by muga silkworm cocoons, with a golden luster, is extremely expensive, and its output is low. The research and production of muga silk is engaged in only in India at present. The discovery of muga silkworm resources was recorded in China, but its research, development and utilization weren't reported. In this topic, the author successfully introduced muga silkworm resources from the outdoors, and bred artificially. The morphological characteristics, biological characteristics and artificial breeding technology of muga silkworms were summarized systematically by long-term continuous observation to different age periods of muga silkworms. The main results are as follows:1. Muga silkworms produce four generations one year in Xishuangbanna, in Yunnan, and overwinter with pupas. The adults first appear in the early middle of March. Late March to early April is the flourishing period for feathering. The life span of the first generation is about 70 days, including the egg stage, about 10 days, the larva stage,25 days, the pupa stage,22 days and 12 days of adults. The larvae of the second generation appear in June -July. The moths of the third generation appear in September -October, then lay eggs in late September or early October. The larvae of four generation appear in the middle of October, after 30 to 40 days of the larva stage, beginning to spin cocoons, and overwinter with pupas. The pupa stage is about 130 to 160 days, so the eclosion of pupas doesn't begin until the middle of March next year.2. The shape of larva of muga silkworms is very similar to those of other insects belonging to Antheraea. The head capsule width of larvae grows geometrically according to a certain proportion (1.3-1.4). The larvae have strong wildness, enjoying climbing and eating the old skin. Their ventral tail feet have very strong attaching forces. Larvae like eating Cinnamomum pedunculatum, Machilus bombycina King ex Hook. f. and Litsea monopetala (Roxb.) Pers etc. belonging to Lauracea. After 4 sleepless and 5 instar stages, about 25 days, the larvae mature and spin cocoons swinging 2 to 4 blades. The cocoons are light yellow and long elliptic, with a handle. There's an obvious leaf scar out of cocoons.3. Two kinds of plants, Cinnamomum pedunculatum and Litsea monopetala (Roxb.) Pers were used as experimental feed of muga silkworms to compare feeding effect. Instar stages of larvae of muga silkworms were nearly the same by eating Cinnamomum camphora and Litsea monopetala (Roxb.) Pers, about 28 days in average, the faster being 25 days. When two kinds of feed existing at the same time, the larvae tend to choose Cinnamomum camphora leaves in 100%.4. By the experimental observation, muga silkworm larvae move more frequently, feed more, grow faster with temperatures between 28～30 centigrade, humidity between 70～85%. Rearing showed: the resistance of muga silkworm larvae is weak, and the common bacterial disease may cause a lot of damage or even complete failure. Normal generation cycle of larvae is difficult to complete for bad resistance, high demand on living environment, high or low temperature, low humidity, or bad quality leaves.5. There are two types of adult worms of muga silkworms, male and female. The male moth is rust red, and range of spreading wing is 125-140mm.; the female moth is brown, and range of spreading wing and figure are much larger. Dapple of front wings is red, without any transparent region in the center.1/3 region of Dapple of back wings is black, like the moon in shape, and the other 2/3 region is nacarat. There is a narrow transparent slit at the central junction between two regions. Male and female moths have the same ocular spot. The adults of muga silkworms are the best specimens of identification of the species.6. A systematic exploration and research to artificial rearing technology of muga silkworms was done in this study. Exploration and innovation about egg surface disinfection, environmental disinfection, preservation technology of branches, feeding vessel, rearing method were preceded. Preventing disease and preservation of feed branches were the key to artificial rearing muga silkworms. 6 to 7 branches stocked into tubes, were fitted into a small basin, and then placed in a large terrarium. In this way, branches can be kept fresh for 5 to 7 days, and have less interference to larvae. It's easy for feeding, feces removal, cleaning and disinfection. A set of method and key technology of feeding muga silkworms was summed up according to the test results and feeding process. |
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