Seri Biotechnological Perspectives on Microclimate-Mediated Variation in Post-Cocoon Traits of Tasar Silkworm, Antheraea mylitta Drury

Tasar silkworm, Antheraea mylitta Drury (Daba BV), is a semi-domesticated, silk-producing insect of high economic significance, supporting the livelihoods of tribal populations in India. Its rearing performance is strongly influenced by environmental variables, making it a critical model for Seri biotechnological interventions aimed at stabilizing productivity. In the present study, disease-free layings of A. mylitta were reared on Terminalia arjuna across three distinct sites in Telangana: Kakatiya University campus (Warangal), Chennur, and Mahadevpur. These sites provided varying microclimatic windows of temperature, relative humidity, and altitude to assess phenotypic responses. Post-cocoon parameters, including cocoon weight, shell weight, shell ratio, filament length, and denier, were recorded using standard procedures. Results indicated that cocoons produced at Kakatiya University under winter conditions (27°C, 78% RH) exhibited superior biomass conversion and fiber quality, characterized by higher shell weights and lower denier values, compared to forest sites. Conversely, Mahadevpur (30°C, 87% RH) yielded lighter cocoons but higher reelability, attributed to pupal desiccation from microclimatic stress during the rainy season. Chennur exhibited intermediate values for most traits. The site-specific variation in these quantitative traits underscores the extreme sensitivity of A. mylitta to microclimatic fluctuations. This study provides a baseline for breeding microclimate-tolerant strains, optimizing host-plant management, and developing environmental decision-support tools. Such biotechnological approaches are essential for ensuring stable silk yields and enhancing livelihood security for tribal rearers amidst changing environmental scenarios.