author(s)
Kavane R.P.

abstract
India is second largest producer of wild silk in the world. The wild Indian silks like Tasar Antheraea mylitta, Muga A. assamensis, Eri Philosamia ricini are well known in the world as far as rearing technology is concern. However, rearing technology has not developed for Attacus atlas in India and elsewhere although it produces durable and brownish silk. The worms of A. atlas are scattered in environment of forest and Western Ghats of Maharashtra. The rearing of the fagara silk moth A.atlas was done on T. catappa under indoor rearing condition. A. atlas completed its life cycle from egg to adult within 62 days. Incubation period, larval (Six instars), and pupa period 10 days, 27.5 days 25 days respectively. The findings of T. catappa as a potential new host for fagara silkmoth A atlas silkworm has opened new vistas in promoting vanya silk.