Altitude specific leaf quality in the host plants of tasar silkworm Anthraea mylitta Drury (Lepidoptera, Saturniidae) in Similipal Biosphere Reserve, Odisha, India

Abstract

Altitudinal variation and role of leaf nutrients in the host plants of tasar silkworm Anthraea mylitta Drury (Lepidoptera, Saturniidae) influences, the rearing, grainage and quantitative traits of tasar and in the quality of cocoon formed. The present works analysed the nutritional status of the tasar host plant leaves of asan (Terminalia tomentosa) and arjun (T. arjuna) collected from Kendujuani (508 m ASL), Mudrajodi (223 m ASL) and Kuliana (64 m ASL) in the district of Mayurbhanj, in Similipal Biosphre Reserve, Odisha. The study revealed that, nutritional value of asan leaves is better at a higher altitude (Kendujuani). The concentration of ascorbic acid in the leaves of asan and arjun was found higher in the leaves from Kendujuani.