REARING PERFORMANCE OF ERI SILKWORM (PHILOSAMIA RICINI) FROM WARANA HILLY REGION AREA, KOLHAPUR, MAHARASHTRA

An attempt was made to rear the eri silkworm, Philosamia ricini on the leaves of caster and reared under laboratory condition. It was observed that the caster is a primary potential host of eri silkworm. The growth parameters and cocoon characters of the eri silkworm reared on caster leaves were normal. The eri silkworm successfully lasted its life cycle ranged from 38 to 40 days. The effective rate of rearing, weight of pre-spinning larvae, cocoon, shell and pupae ranged from 70 to 75 per cent, 6 to 7 g, 3.01 to 3.05 g, 0.40 to 0.45g, 2.50 to 2.70g, respectively. Parameters such as length of cocoon shell, width of shell, shell thickness etc. The fecundity ranged from 400 to 425 eggs. Rearing performance of eri silkworm is a need in western Maharashtra for a future development of raw silk production.