Impact of Ant Infestation on Muga Silkworms: Insights from Farmer Observations
Abhigyan Rajkhowa
Department of Sericulture, College of Agriculture, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, Assam (785013), India.
Monimala Saikia
Department of Sericulture, College of Agriculture, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, Assam (785013), India.
Dipankar Brahma *
Department of Sericulture, Forest College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Mettupalayam, Tamil Nadu (641301), India.
Jugabrat Sarma
Department of Sericulture, College of Agriculture, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, Assam (785013), India.
Nilav Ranjan Bora
Department of Sericulture, Forest College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Mettupalayam, Tamil Nadu (641301), India.
Rimpi Rani Saikia
Department of Sericulture, College of Agriculture, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, Assam (785013), India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The present study investigates the incidence and infestation of ants, a ubiquitous predator in muga silkworm (Antheraea assamensis Helfer) rearing. A survey was conducted during August 2021 to July 22 across Jorhat and Lakhimpur districts of Assam, involving 120 respondents from 8 villages. The findings revealed 100% of ant infestation during muga silkworm rearing, by Oecophylla smaragdina (Fabricus) emerging as the most frequently observed and predacious species, particularly targeting the early larval instars. The respondents reported peak ant predation during the Aherua (June-July) crop cycle, with an estimated 1-25% crop loss. This study highlights the need for developing effective management strategies to mitigate the impact of ant predation on muga silk production.
Keywords: Assam, ant infestation, Muga silkworm, Oecophylla smaragdina