PRICE PAID IN JOULES BY TROPICAL TASAR SILK INSECT Antheraea mylitta DRURY FOR DIFFERENT PURPOSES DURING AUTUMN

Energy budget of larva of Antheraea mylitta Drury living in Terminalia arjuna W.&A. host plant was prepared in autumn season. During fifth instar the rate of food energy consumption, absorption, body growth, silk gland growth and respiration increased suddenly in comparison to other instars. The amount of consumption, absorption, body tissue growth and silk gland growth during fifth instar was about 79%, 80%, 80%, 97% respectively of the total amount used in the entire larval period. At fifth instar the female larva showed significantly higher overall efficiencies than male larva. There was a gradual increase in amount of energy stored per mg dry body weight form first to fifth instar. Female larva showed higher value than male larva. The absorption and growth efficiency was lowest in 2nd instar. So it is the most vulnerable instar needing more care during rearing. Highest all-round efficiency was observed in case of fifth instar larva. So optimum care during feeding and rearing should be given to fifth instar larva in order to maximize silk productivity.