Question

Eri silkworm is grown on which of the following leaves?
A. Mulberry leaf
B. Neem leaf
C. Khaire leaf
D. Castor leaf

Answer 1

Sericulture or silk farming is the cultivation of silkworms for the manufacture of silk. The insect larvae produce silk by undergoing complete metamorphosis, but some insects, like web spinners and raspy crickets, develop silk at all their lives. Eri silkworm is grown on leaves of Ricinus communis.

Complete answer: Eri silk comes from the Samia ricini caterpillar, which is found in northeast India and parts of China and Japan. It was imported into Thailand in 1974. The name ‘Eri’ has been derived from the Assamese word ‘era’ which means ‘castor’. This is because the silkworm feeds on castor plants. The Eri silk is additionally known in India as ‘endi’ or ‘errandi’. Another type of Eri silk is Ailanthus silkmoth which refers to the host plant, Borkesseu, Ailanthus excelsa, which is practised in China. Moths leave the cocoon and then the coconuts are harvested to be spun. The Eri community is largely limited to Assam Valley of Brahmaputra in tribally populated districts. It is also practised in a few districts of the neighbouring states, primarily Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh. Eri silkworm, Samia ricini (Donovan) feeds mainly on castor (Ricinus communis).
Hence, option D is the correct answer.

Note: Eri silk worm is the only domesticated non-mulberry silk worm in the world. Traditionally, different ethnic groups have been raised in Assam since time immemorial. Eri silk worm is primarily raised on castor leaves, but because it is a polyphagous pest, it can also be reared on other plants.