KAKATI & CHUTIA 137

Tropical Ecology 50 (1): 137-146, 2009 ISSN 0564-3295 © International Society for Tropical Ecology www.tropecol.com Diversity and ecology of wild sericigenous in Nagaland, India

L.N. KAKATI* & B.C. CHUTIA

Department of Zoology, Nagaland University, Head Quarters: Lumami, Mokokchung 798 601, Nagaland, India

Abstract: This paper deals with the diversity of wild sericigenous insects i.e., silk producing in Nagaland, a small mountainous state of north eastern India. A periodic survey conducted during 2004-2006 revealed the presence of 14 belonging to 8 genera i.e. Antheraea , , Attacus , Archaeoattacus , , Loepa , Samia , Sonthonnaxia and a large number of host plants. However, only four species are commercially exploited in Nagaland at present and there remains a great scope for producing novel silk from Actias selene , Antheraea roylei , Samia canningi and . The egg, worm, cocoon and adult stages of certain species have been studied for character evaluation and categorization. The paper emphasizes the importance of these lesser known silk producing insects, causal factors for depletion of population density and advocates for great need for conservation of wild silk moths and their ecological environment in Nagaland. Further, the paper highlights the socioeconomic perspective of rearing and utilizing wild silk moths by the forest dwelling tribal people who could play a major role in conserving these insects and their habitats.

Resumen: Este artículo trata de la diversidad de insectos sericígenos silvestres, es decir, de las polillas productoras de seda en Nagaland, un pequeño estado montañoso del nordeste de la India. Un muestreo periódico realizado durante 2004-2006 reveló la presencia de 14 especies pertenecientes a ocho géneros: Antheraea , Actias , Attacus , Archaeoattacus , Cricula , Loepa , Samia , Sonthonnaxia , y un número grande de plantas hospedadoras. Sin embargo, actualmente en Nagaland solamente se explotan comercialmente cuatro especies y existe un gran campo para la producción novedosa de seda de Actias selene , Antheraea roylei , Samia canningi y Cricula trifenestrata . Se estudiaron las etapas de huevo, gusano, crisálida y adulto de ciertas especies para evaluar y categorizar los caracteres. El artículo enfatiza la importancia de estos últimos insectos productores de seda menos conocidos y los factores causales de la reducción de la densidad poblacional, y aboga por la fuerte necesidad de conservar a las palomillas de seda silvestres y su ambiente ecológico en Nagaland. Además, el artículo resalta la perspectiva socioeconómica de criar y utilizar palomillas de seda silvestres por la gente de las tribus que habitan en el bosque, quienes podrían jugar un papel primordial en la conservación de estos insectos y de sus hábitats.

Resumo : Este artigo trata da diversidade dos insectos seríceos selvagens i. e., mariposas produtoras de seda em Nagaland, um pequeno Estado montanhoso no nordeste da Índia. Um inventário periódico conduzido durante 2004-2006 revelou a presença de 14 espécies pertencentes a 8 géneros i. e. Antheraea , Actias , Attacus , Archaeoattacus , Cricula , Loepa , Samia , Sonthonnaxia e um número grande de plantas hospedeiras. Contudo, no presente, só quatro espécies são comercialmente exploradas em Nagaland e aí existe uma grande oportunidade para produzir nova seda de Actias selene , Antheraea roylei , Samia canningi e Cricula trifenestrata . O ovo, a lagarta, o casulo e os estágios adultos de certas espécies têm sido

* Corresponding Author ; e-mail: [email protected] 138 WILD SERICIGENOUS INSECTS IN NAGALAND

estudados quantos a caracteres de avaliação e categorização. O artigo enfatiza a importância destes insectos produtores de seda menos conhecidos, factores causais para depleção da densidade da população e advoga a grande necessidade de conservação de mariposas selvagens produtoras de seda e do seu ambiente ecológico em Nagaland. Além disso, o artigo dá realce à perspectiva socioeconómica de cultivo e utilização de seda selvagem pelas populações tribais habitantes da floresta e que podem jogar um papel principal na conservação destes insectos e dos seus habitats.

Key words: Sericigenous insects, biodiversity, ecology, conservation, Nagaland.

Introduction mulberry silk ( Linn .) (Peigler & Naumann 2003). However, the diversity of wild Seri-biodiversity refers the variability in sericigenous insects in the region is not fully sericigenous or silk producing insects and their understood. Given the rapid transformation of host plants (Srivastava & Thangavelu 2005). Non- original vegetation due to intensive land use mulberry silk moths are wild or semi-domesticated practices, it is pertinent to characterize, classify, “charismatic fauna” which produce lustrous silk and document the status of these precious faunal and exhibit a great range of variation in life species in the region. While a few survey reports on history from egg to adult with characteristically wild sericigenous insects in the North-Eastern India different physiological, morphological and feeding are available (Bhattacharya & Teotia 1998; parameters. Fairly good numbers of references are Bhattacharya et al. 2004; Thangavelu & Borah on record about seri-biodiversity and their 1986; Thangavelu et al . 1987), overall diversity and potential as a source of natural silk in Indian distribution pattern of wild silk moths in the state subcontinent (Arora & Gupta 1979; Chinnaswamy of Nagaland are generally lacking. Singh & 2001; Nassig et al .1996; Srivastava & Thangavelu Chakravorty (2006) enlisted 24 species of the family 2005; Thangavelu 1991; Thangavelu et al . 2002). from North East India, including three Arora & Gupta (1979) estimated as many as 40 species of wild silk moths viz ., Antheraea species in India alone. Jolly et al . (1975) reported assamensis, Antheraea roylei and Attacus atlas from about 80 species occurring in Asia and Africa to Nagaland. But there is no published account on produce wild silk of economic value. Nassig et al. their host plants and life-cycle. Hence a detailed (1996) has mentioned that the family Saturniidae survey of wild sericigenous insects was conducted in comprises of about 1200-1500 species all over the the state of Nagaland. Major findings of this study world of which the Indian sub-continent, extending are presented in this paper. from Himalayas to Sri Lanka may possess over 50 species. According to the classification of Lemaire Study area & Minet (1998) it is the largest family of sensu stricto , containing about 1861 Nagaland forms the easternmost state of species in 162 genera and 9 subfamilies. The Indian Republic, located between 25°26 ′- 27°40 ′N saturniids which include some of the largest and latitudes and 93°20 ′ - 95°15 ′E longitudes. It most spectacular species of all are constitutes a part of Indo-Burmese biodiversity univoltine to multivoltine depending upon the hotspot. The state has an area of 16,579 km 2 and it climatic conditions and are distributed in both is bounded by Arunachal Pradesh in North, temperate and tropical region (Regier et al. 2008). Manipur in South, Myanmar in East and Assam in The North-Eastern region of India makes ideal West. The topography of the state is character- home for a number of wild sericigenous insects and istically hilly, at places exhibiting rugged terrain is centre of wild silk culture including muga broken by deep gorges and steep slopes. The (Antheraea assamensis Helfer), eri ( Samia ricini altitude varies from 199 to 3841 m above mean sea Donovan), tasar ( Antheraea proylei Jolly ) and level. Climate is humid sub-tropical to warm KAKATI & CHUTIA 139 temperate. The mean annual rainfall is ca 2600 socioeconomic upliftment and forest conservation. mm, with a prolonged rainy season from May to Eri culture has been practiced since time October. The temperature ranges from 12 to 32 oC immemorial by different tribes and sub tribes in in summer and 5 to 20 oC in winter and average both the plains and the hills of Nagaland. It is relative humidity varies from 67% (March) to 88% mainly done domestically for eri pupae (October). Some of the meteoro-logical data viz ., consumption since the pupae have a high protein temperature, relative humidity, rainfall and value and oil. The silk layer is used for production number of rainy days collected during the study of spurn yarn. While rearing of mulberry silk period from an experimental site i.e. Mokokchung worm is also practiced in different parts of the (26°17 ′N latitude and 94°18 ′E longitude, 1325 m state, muga culture is new to the state and not yet altitude) are shown in Table 1. The forest cover in popular which may be due to a lack of proper the state is about 52% (8,62,930 ha including training at the grass root level. Further, inspite of 1,00,823 ha of government and 7,62,107 ha of having one research extension centre, the growth private forests) of the total geographical area of and development of oak tasar culture is not 16,57,583 ha. Out of the total forest cover 55.4% is encouraging; particularly due to inadequate supply virgin forest, 32.9% is degraded forest and the rest of diseased free laying (dfl) at the farmers level of 11.7% belongs to other category. Despite being (Kakati 2006). However, in recent years Govt. of the small state, it possesses variety of forest types Nagaland has imparted sericulture training to like tropical wet evergreen forests, tropical semi farmers and brought about 4148 hectares of evergreen forests and sub-tropical broad-leaf wet degraded/waste land under plantation of host hill forests distributed throughout the state. The plants of different commercially important silk rich floristic diversity of the state is represented by worm group (Source: Director of Sericulture, 2,431 species of angiosperm and 9 species of Government of Nagaland 2007). gymnosperm. Nagaland boasts of the tallest and the tallest rice plant in the Materials and methods Guinness Book of world records. Besides the state is the repository of herbal medicinal and aromatic Extensive surveys were conducted throughout plants and rare orchids. Among the variety of the state of Nagaland covering various seasons wildlife distributed throughout the state, and forest types during 2004-2006. The survey Tragopan blythii (Tragopan), the state bird and objectives were to document the diversity of wild Bos frontalis (Mithun), the state mascot are silk moths and to record their distribution as well themselves rare species in the world (Anonymous as host plants. During the survey, officials of the 2005). Over a period of several hundred years, State and Central Sericulture departments as well indigenous tribal people of Nagaland have tested, as other private rearers were interviewed for implemented, evaluated, modified and developed information on presence/absence of wild silk several practice of land use pattern like Jhum moths, preferred host plants and attempts at cultivation, Alder based shifting cultivation, wet rearing the moths. Natural habitats and terraced paddy cultivation, paddy cultivation undisturbed forests of 11 districts viz. , through irrigation, Zabro farming system and agro Mokokchung, Tuensang, Kiphire, Zunheboto, forestry system for their sustenance (Changkija Kohima, Phek, Wokha, Mon, Dimapur, Peren and 2006). Being a forest based industry, sericulture in Longleng (Fig. 1) were surveyed for wild silk Nagaland may play an important role in worms / cocoons / moths and their host plants. The

Table 1. Meteorological data for Mokokchung Field Station (1325 m asl), Nagaland .

Temperature ( oC) Relative humidity (%) Rainfall Rainy days Season Max. Min. Max. Min. (cm) (Nos) Spring (Mar-May) 31.3 16.9 89.8 51.3 73.1 13 Summer (Jul-Aug) 32.2 20.0 90.2 61.7 70.0 22 Autumn (Oct-Dec) 26.5 10.0 87.8 49.9 11.1 04

140 WILD SERICIGENOUS INSECTS IN NAGALAND

Results

Diversity of silk moths and their host plants Fourteen species of sericigenous insects belonging to eight genera were recorded from the state of Nagaland. These species along with their host plants and distribution are given in Table 2. The group comprises four species of Antheraea (A. assamensis, A. roylei, A. proylei, A. frithi ), two species of Actias ( A. selene and A. rhodopneuma ); two species of Samia ( S. canningi and S. ricini ); two species of Loepa ( L. katinka and L. sikkima ), Attacus atlas, Archaeoattacus edwardsii, Cricula trifenestrata and Sonthonnaxia maenas (Fig. 2). Of these, Antheraea frithi, Actias rhodopneuma, Archaeoattacus edwardsii, Sonthonnaxia maenas, Loepa katinka and Loepa sikkima were collected only at adult stage without confirmation of their host plants. Rest of the species i.e . Antheraea assamensis, A. roylei, A. proylei, Actias selene, Attacus atlas, Cricula trifenestrata, Samia canningi and Samia ricini were observed in adult as well as larval stages along with their primary and secondary host plants. Except for a few host plants which are site specific, most are found

throughout Nagaland. The wild variety of Fig. 1. Sericulture map of Nagaland showing different Antheraea assamensis is also reported from certain sericulture farm and collecting sites. areas of Nagaland by earlier authors (Sahu 2005; Thangavelu et al . 1987). According to Peigler specimens of moths, worms and their host plants (1993) the domesticated eri silk worm ( Samia were collected following standard practices and ricini ) is not really a distinct species but a form identified with the help of literature (Arora & derived from Samia canningi through centuries of Gupta 1979; Nassig et al. 1996; Peigler & selection for silk production. Naumann 2003) and specialists on the subject Of the 14 species of wild silk moths recorded in from Zoological Survey of India and Botanical the state, biology and economic importance of only Survey of India, Shillong. three species have been studied so far viz ., Morphometric characterization at different Antheraea assamensis (Choudhury1983a), Samia stages i.e. from egg to adult forms was done ricini (Chowdhury1983b) and Antheraea proylei following Jolly et al . (1979) and Nassig et al . (Singh & Singh 1998). It was observed that wild (1996). Four species i.e., Actias selene , Antheraea variety of Antheraea assamensis differs in larval roylei , Samia canningi and Cricula trifenestrata and cocoon characters such as colour, weight and were reared in natural conditions on their size from the semi-domesticated population. The preferred food plants for two consecutive years to colouration of wild muga is chocolate-orange, ascertain their growth patterns and performance. brown and shining, showing trivoltinism with The effective rate of rearing (ERR) is obtained by partial diapause in the pupal stage during winter. dividing numbers of mature worms collected with There was a wide variation in morphometric numbers of worms initially brushed. Cocoons : dfl characters such as colour, size and weight in ratio is calculated by dividing numbers of cocoons different stages of life cycle from egg to adult with harvested with numbers of diseased free laying specific adaptation and voltinism (Table 3). (dfl) utilized for rearing. Attacus atlas moth (wing span of male 191 - 255 mm and female 209 - 274 mm) is the biggest while KAKATI & CHUTIA 141

Table 2. Selected wild silk moths of the Family Saturniidae, their distribution and host plants .

Species Distribution in Nagaland Host Plants Antheraea assamensis Mokokchung, Wokha, Tuensang, bombycina Kost Helfer Dimapur (500 – 1500 m) Litsea polyantha Juss Litsea salicifolia Roxb. ex Wall Litsea cubeba Pers Antheraea proylei Jolly Kohima, Phek, Kiphire, Mon, Quercus acutissima Carr. Tuensang, Mokokchung Quercus grifithii Hook f & Thomas (896-1524 m) Quercus semiserrata Roxb. Quercus incana Linn. Antheraea roylei Moore Throughout Terminalia myriocarpa Muell. - Arg. Betula alnoides Buch-Ham ex D. Don. Antheraea frithi Moore Northern region Not known Actias selene Hubner Throughout Rhus javonica Murray Alnus nepalensis D. Don. Betula alnoides Buch-Ham ex D. Don. cerasuides D. Don. Evodia flaxinifolia Hook Persea bombycina Kost Attacus atlas L. Mokochung, Wokha Maesa indica (Roxb.) Wall Phek, Zunhebouto (1313-1874 m) Evodia flaxinifolia Hook Cricula trifenestrata Helfer Mokokchung, Wokha, Tuensang, Persea bombycina Kost Dimapur (145-1371 m) Litsea cubeba Pers Betula alnoides Buch-Ham ex D. Don. Samia ricini Donovan Throughout Ricinus communis L. Heteropanax fragrans (Roxb.) Seem. Evodia flaxinifolia Hook. Manihot esculanta Crantz. Samia canningi Hutton Throughout Ricinus communis L. Heteropanax fragrans (Roxb.) Seem . Evodia flaxinifolia Hook Manihot esculanta Crantz. Duanbanga sonneritoides Roxb. ex DC Anthocephalus cadamba Lamk Litsea salicifolia Roxb. ex Wall Litsea cubeba Pers Psidium guajava L.

Cricula trifenestrata (wing span of male 56-78 mm These species, reared for two to three generations and female 75-81 mm) is the smallest among all in a year showed high volitinism (bivoltine and the wild sericigenous insects collected. Except for trivoltine). The shortest period of life cycle of these Antheraea roylei , which forms double layered species during summer season (season II) was cocoon, all other silkworms produce single layered correlated with the higher temperature and cocoons. Cricula trifenestrata was conspicuous by optimum humidity which ensured faster growth having perforated cocoon. and development in different stages. The larval and pupal durations were longer in autumn Growth parameters and performance (season III) in all the species studied and the extended pupal duration in winter and pre spring Four species i.e., A. selene , A. roylei , S. indicated the diapausing character of these wild canningi and C. trifenestrata were successfully silkworms in their natural habitat. Except for the reared at Mokokchung. The biological and cocoon Actias selene which was trivoltine, other silk moths parameters of these species are given in Table 4. expressed bivoltinism and Samia canningi remained 142 WILD SERICIGENOUS INSECTS IN NAGALAND

Fig. 2. Diversity of wild sericigenous insects in Nagaland. KAKATI & CHUTIA 143

Table 3. Morphological characteristics of certain wild silk moths in Nagaland (All size in mm and weight in g) .

Species → Characteristics Antheraea roylei Actias selene Samia canningi Cricula trifenestrata ↓ EGG Colour Grayish brown Gray Brownish to Ivory white to bluish brown creamy white Size LxB 2.8 x 2.4 2.5 x 2.3 1.6 x 1.2 1.8 x1.2 Weight 0.005-0.009 0.004 0.001 0.004 Early Colour Black Chocolate to Yellowish black Yellowish brown orange brown Size LxB 9.4 x 1.7 7.2-7.8 x 1.4-1.6 7.1-7.3 x 1.2-1.5 6.2-6.6 x 1.2 Weight 0.027 0.03-0.05 0.01-0.05 0.029-0.033 MATURE Body colour Green with bluish Dark green to Yellowish Dark brown to tubercles light green pinkish bands Size LxB 96.6 x 15.8 78.6-85.4 x 13.8-14 69-72.8 x 11.4-12.4 56.4-60 x 7.0-8.6 Weight 12.5-23.1 11.4-11.6 5.5-6.1 2.52-2.56 COCOON Doubled layered Single layered Single layered Hole present Colour Whitish Pale creamish Gray, orange Golden yellow brown brick red Size LxB 45.4-54 x 24.4-27.4 45.8-58.8 x 21.6-25 35.6-44.6 x 11.8-16.6 36-41.6 x 7.2-14.4 Weight 6.6-11.5 6.94-8.70 1.64-2.69 0.958-2.01 Peduncle size 93.2-170.4 -- 77-164 62.2-93.6 Shell wt. 0.55-0.80 0.29-0.55 0.22-0.40 0.102-0.228 Shell ratio 6.96%-8.30% 5.35%-7.13% 11.16%-15.75% 8.0%-13.33% PUPA Size LxB 38.2-45.2 x 18.2-28.6 36-55.2 x 9.6-17.4 23.4-28.2 x 7.2-9.0 22.2-27.6 x 4.8-11.2 Weight 4.51-11.18 4.34-9.47 1.41-2.38 0.84-1.78 MOTH Wing expanse Male 132-155 123-141 115-126 56-78 Female 152-175 156-189 141-155 75-81 Colour Male Greenish gray Blue green to chocolate Dark brown to Orange brown pinkish white Female Yellowish brown to dull -do- -do- -do- brown VOLTINISM Bi voltine Tri voltine Bi voltine Bi voltine dormant for a maximum period of about eight indicates the efficiency of this species in months from October to mid of May in a year. synthesizing more silk. The effective rates of Observations on the oviposition, hatching of eggs, rearing (ERR %) of all the species in different larval and pupal duration indicated a lower seasons are satisfactory which indicate scope for oviposition rate in case of C. trifenestrata which commercial exploitation of these wild silk moths in may be due to poor coupling intensity in this Nagaland. The ERR %, Cocoons:dfl ratio and silk species. Hatching of eggs showed uniformity for all content was highest in S. canningi among all the species in successive generation except for A. species but cocoon weight was very low, perhaps selene which showed less hatching (60%) during due to smaller size. The variability in qualitative summer than other seasons (70%). The larval and quantitative characters of the cocoon mostly duration of S. canningi was shorter than other depends upon the type of food plants used for species indicating poor feeding character in this feeding (Sharma et al. 1995). species. However, higher silk content (12-14%) 144 WILD SERICIGENOUS INSECTS IN NAGALAND

Table 4. Biological and cocoon characteristics of certain wild sericigenous moths in Nagaland, India (Seasons: S1 = Spring, S2 = Summer, S3 = Autumn; ERR = Effective rate of rearing; D = Diapause Period) .

Fecundity Hatching ERR Cocoons/ Cocoon wt Silk Duration (days) Species Season (No) (%) (%) Dfl (g) content Egg Larva Pupa Adult (%) Actias S1 15 32 26 7 236 70 46 77 6.4 6.0 selene S2 14 29 26 7 221 60 24 31 6.3 5.9 S3 16 53 D 6 258 70 48 88 6.7 6.7 Antheraea S1 14 47 56 10 234 76 30 53 8.0 8.0 roylei S2 15 66 D 9 282 78 58 128 9.0 7.6 Samia S1 11 27 24 7 300 79 54 129 2.0 12 canningi S2 13 29 D 7 283 73 51 104 2.0 14 Cricula S1 13 44 18 6 83 71 45 26 2.0 9.0 trifenestrata S2 15 51 D 5 81 70 32 18 1.0 10 Actias selene = From December to mid of March, Antheraea roylei = From January to May Samia canningi = From October to mid of May, Cricula trifenestrata = From December to June

Discussion Analysis of rearing parameters like ERR%, cocoon weight and silk content of four wild Seitz (1933) recorded 19 species of wild sericigenous insects i.e. A. selene , A. roylei , S. sericigenous lepidopterans from the entire North canningi and C. trifenestrata indicate a promising Eastern India including Sikkim and Assam. future in terms of novel silk with high economic Chowdhury (1983a) and Thangavelu (1991) value for the region. While salubrious climatic without specifying the limits of survey recorded 10 conditions during spring and summer has assured and 9 sericigenous species respectively from better production of the cocoons, the diapausing region. The higher record of 14 species (including character of these wild silkmoths in their natural A. assamensis and S. ricini ) in the present study habitat indicate their adaptability to severe from Nagaland is encouraging as against the winters at higher altitudes of the state. Wild findings of the former two authors who might have silkmoth population comprising diverse gene pool restricted their survey area in the plains of Assam hold great potential utility for mankind. Hence, and foot hills of neighbouring states. Perhaps the conservation of this precious genetic resource natural population of these species has become would be imperative for breeding of better adapted scarce and extremely restricted in distribution and more desired genotypes. If the reelability of along the hilly areas in the interior forests. The the eri cocoons ( Samia ricini ) could be achieved diversity from egg to moth with variations in through cross breeding with Samia canningi , it shape, size and colour among different species could be a breakthrough in the field of eri culture. show their capacity to adjust to different ecological Further, the genetically useful and important conditions and reveals the potentiality and genetic traits of these wild silk moths such as hibernation, adaptability through interaction with environment reelability may be a sound basis for all future to struggle and sustain in varying ecological breeding programmes of other domesticated silk niches. Thangavelu (1991) also revealed that moths in evolving commercially and economically saturniids Antheraea assamensis, A. mylitta and desirable improved strains of species (Gogoi & Philosamia cynthia exhibit genetic diversity and Goswami 1998). Wild silk moth culture not only natural variations in the wild population has an economic bearing on the local inhabitants indicating natural adaptation to specific niches. of North-Eastern India but also helps to save Further the existence/distribution basically forest ecosystem. Nagaland Pollution Control synchronizes the availability of leaves of food Board, Government of Nagaland, has reported that plants (Chinnaswamy 2001). deforestation, unsustainable fuel wood extraction, shifting cultivation/jhum, unplanned agricultural KAKATI & CHUTIA 145 practices, encroachment into forest land for silk moths through planned and collaborative agriculture and settlements, forest fire, over efforts of state and central government agencies grazing, non-adoption of adequate soil through formation of Task Force comprising conservation measures and improper crop rotation scientific and extension personnel on systematic are some important factors contributing to loss of and scientific lines (Naqvi et al. 1998). vegetation and land degradation in Nagaland. Encouragement of traditional skills such as Shifting cultivation is the major cause of maintenance of sacred groves close to villages, wastelands in Nagaland. This would have direct rewarding local conservators and organization and impact on food plants of different wild silk moths. management of eco-tourism would greatly help the Diversity of sericigenous moths needs to be conservation programme (Sahu & Bindroo 2007). conserved through well planned and sustainable use of natural resources. Proper eco-development Acknowledgements measures and strategies for ecological restoration of degraded jhum fallows would be needed to The authors express thanks to the G.B. Pant ascertain the continued existence of the valuable Institute of Himalayan Environment & entomofauna among other components of Development, Almora, for financial assistance biodiversity (Mohanty 1998). Exploration and through a research project sanctioned to Dr. L.N. evaluation of different species /subspecies /races Kakati. and their genetic improvement through selective breeding would also go a long way in development References of age old science of sericulture in the region. Increasing urbanization, lopping of trees and lack Anonymous. 2005. State Level Biodiversity Strategy of awareness about wild silk worms and their host Action Plan of Nagaland. Department of Forest, plants among the local farmers are likely to result Environment, Ecology and Wildlife, Government of in local extinction of few species. Therefore, there Nagaland. is a need to initiate conservation awareness Arora, G.S. & I.J. Gupta. 1979. Taxonomic studies of programmes for the local communities in the state some of the Indian non-mulberry silk moths by introducing the concept of silkmoth farming, (Lepidoptera : Saturniidae). Memoirs of Zoological the practice of which not only provides substantial Survey of India 16 :1-63. economic gain to tribal people but also helps to Bhattacharya, A. & R.S. Teotia. 2000. Conservation conserve forests and regional biodiversity. Wild strategies of wild silk moths in the North-Eastern silkmoth farming (sericulture) as a cottage industry Region of India. International Journal of Wild Silk offers many advantages to poor communities, in Moths Silk (Speical issue) 5: 311-313. that it requires minimal expenditure when Bhattacharya, A., B.K. Singh & P.K. Das. 2004. compared with other agricultural endeavours; it is Biodiversity of wild silkmoths in Assam (North East India). Annals of Forestry 12 : 208-216. labour intensive and suitable to the rural farmer. Changkija, S. 2006. Environmental conservation and its Hence, efforts are needed to revitalize the age old impact: environmental friendly indigenous tradition of non-mulberry sericulture especially in sustainable mountain farming system practices in the tribal belts. Conservation of wild population of Nagaland. pp. 89-96. In : A. Sema, A.J. Sebastian & sericigenous moths is much easier than that of N. Savino (eds.) 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