INSECT BASED INDUSTRIES

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Assignment# 02 i

Submitted By: i

Swera Bibi i

Roll# 19011514-052
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BS VIII Zoology(B)
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Applied Entomology(ZOO-461)
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Submitted To: i

DR SUMERA AFSHEEN
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 iiiiiiiii CONTENT PAGE i

SR# iiii CONTENTS i PAGE NO# i

1. Introduction..................................................................................................03
1. Lac iculture...................................................................................................03
1.1. i Life icycle....................................................................................................03-04
1.2. i Types iof iLac...............................................................................................04-05
1.3. i Lac icultivation............................................................................................05-07
1.4. i Economic iimportance iof iLac iculture.........................................................07-08
2. Apiculture....................................................................................................08
2.1. i Species iof ihoney ibee..................................................................................08
2.2. i Life icycle iof ihoney ibee..............................................................................09
2.3. i Methods iof iApiculture...............................................................................09-10
2.4. i Importance iof iApiculture...........................................................................10-11
3. Sericulture....................................................................................................11-12
3.1. i Life icycle iof iSilkworm...............................................................................12-13
3.2. i What iis ithe iProcess iFollowed iin iSericulture?............................................13-16
3.3. i Importance iof iSericulture...........................................................................16-17
4. References....................................................................................................18

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 1. Introduction

Insects iare iby ifar ithe imost inumerous ianimals iinhabiting ithis iearth iand ihave ilargely iearned ithe
i reputation iof ibeing iharmful. iThis iis idespite ithe ifact ithat iless ithan i1% iof ithe iinsect ipopulation
i is iactually iharmful. iInsects iowing ito itheir itremedous iadaptations ito idiverse ihabitats ihave
i much ito ioffer ito ius ihumans ifor itechnological iadvances iin iall ispheres iof iour ilives.

Other ithan ithe iknown iavenues iof isilk, ihoney iand ilac iproduction, iinsects ihave imuch ito
i offer iin ithe ifield iof ifood, inutraceuticals, ipharmaceuticals, itherapies, iweed iand ipest
i management, ietc.

It iis itime inow ifor ius ito istart irespecting ithe ithings ithat iinsects ihave ito iteach iand ito iconvert ithese
i lessons iinto ibreakthroughs iaimed iat iimproving ihuman ilife iwhile iprotecting ithe ienvironment.

Most iimportant iindustries iinclude:

1. Lac iculture
2. Apiculture
3. Sericulture
1. Lac culture i

Lac iculture iis ithe iscientific imanagement iof ilac iinsects ito iobtain ia ihigh iamount iof iquality ilac.
i This iinvolves iselection iand imaintenance iof ihost iplants, iinoculation iof ihost iplants iwith ihealthy
i lac iinsects, icollection iand iprocessing iof ilac iand iprotection iagainst ienemies.

Lac iis ithe iresinous isecretion iof ilac iinsects. iTwo ispecies iof ilac iinsects iTachardia ilacca iand iT.
i chinensis iare icommon, iof iwhich ithe iformer ione iis ipredominant iin iIndia. iIndia iis ithe ihighest
i lac-producing icountry. iThailand iis inext iin iorder.

1.1. Life cycle

i

A iresinous iexudate icomes iout iof ithe iinsect ibody iand iforms ia icrust iaround iit, iwhich igets
i attached ito ithe ihost iplant. iGradually ia ithick icrust iof ithe iresinous isubstance ior ilac isurrounds
i the itwig.

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1. Following iinoculation, ithe ilarvae ihatch iout iof ithe ieggs ipresent iin ithe iold icrust. iThey iare
i nymphs iand icome iout iof ithe icrust. iThis iis iswarming.
2. The iabandoned iold icrust iis icalled iPhunki.
3. The iphunki iis iremoved iwithin ithree iweeks iof iinoculation.
4. The inymphs iare iboat-shaped, ireddish iin icolour iand ipossess ione ipair iof iantennae, ithree
i pairs iof ithoracic iwalking ilegs iand ia ipair iof icaudal isetae.
5. Some iof ithe inymphs iare imales—both iwinged iand iwingless, iand iothers iare ifemales.
6. The inymphs imove ito inew ibranches iof ithe ihost iplant. iWith ithe ihelp iof imaxillae iand
i mandibles imodified ifor isucking, ithey isuck icell isap ifrom ithe ibranches iof ithe ihost iplant ito
i thrive. iThe inymphs isettle ion ithe ibranch iand iliberate ithe iexudate.
7. Most iof ithe ibody istructures iare ilost iand ithe inymphs imoult iseveral itimes.
8. The irejected iskin iand ithe iexudate iform ia icrust iaround iit icontaining ia ipair iof ibranchial
i pores iand ia ilarge ianal itubercular iopening.
9. An ioperculum iis ipresent iat ithe itubercular iopening. iThe imale icomes iout iremoving ithe
i operculum iafter ithree imonths.
10. The imale icopulates iwith ifemale. iThe imales iare idevoid iof imouth iparts iand idie isoon iafter
imating. iThe ifemale ilays ieggs iin ithe icrust.

https://www.embibe.com/exams/lac-culture/
1.2. Types of Lac:
i i

i. Kusmi lac i

It igrows ion iKusum itrees. iInoculation iis idone iin iJanuary-February iand iharvested iin
i June-July.

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 ii. Ranjeeni lac i

It igrows ion itrees iother ithan iKusum. iInoculated iin iOctober-November iand iharvested iin
i next iMay-June.
1.3. Lac cultivation
i

Following iare ithe ifour istages

1. Inoculation:

Inoculation iis ithe ifirst istage iof ilac icultivation. iIt iis ithe iprocess iby iwhich inewly ihatched
i (brood) inymphs iget iassociated iwith inew ibranches iof ihost iplants.

It imay ioccur iby itwo iways:

(a) Natural i iinoculation:

It ioccurs inaturally iand iroutinely. iIn ithis iprocess iof iinoculation, ithe iswarmed inymphs iof ione
i plant iinfect ithe isame ihost iagain iand istart ito iinhabit i(encrust) ion iit. iHowever, isuch iinoculation
i process iis idiscouraged ifor icertain ireasons.

(b) Artificial iInoculation:

Due ito iseveral iproblems iin inatural isystem iof iinoculation, ias imentioned iabove, inowadays
i artificial iinoculation iis ibeing ipractised. iIt iis ibrought iabout iby ithe iagency iof iman. iThe imain
i idea ibehind ithis isystem iof iinoculation iis ito iovercome ithe idrawbacks iof inatural isystem.

After ithe ibrood ilac ihas ibeen icut ifrom ithe iplants, iit iis inecessary ito isubject iit ito iproper
i examination, iso ithat ionly ihealthy ilac iwith iminimum isigns iof ipredator iand iparasite idamage iis
i selected ifor iuse ias ibrood ilac. iThis iis inecessary ito iminimize ithe ichances iof ipropagation iof ithe
i lac iinsect ienemies.

2. Swarming

It iis imost iimportant istage iof ilac icultivation. iFollowing itying, ithe inymphs iswarm ifrom ibrood iand
i migrate ito itender iand isucculent itwigs iof ihost iplant ito iinfest ithem. iThe itime iof iswarming ican ibe
i noted iby ithe icolour ichange iof ithe ieggs.

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At ithe itime iof ihatching, ithe ieggs ibecome iorange icoloured. iFollowing iswarming iof inymphs, ithe
i hollow icavities ileft iin ithe icell iget icovered iwith- iwax. iThus iit iis ian iindication ithat iswarming ihas
i taken iplace.

https://www.notesonzoology.com/lac-culture

3. Phunki Removal i

The ioperation ipertains ito ithe iremoval iof ibrood ilac itwigs iused ifor iinoculation ipurposes, iand
i the iused iup ibrood ilac iafter icomplete iemergence iof ilac inymphs ifrom ifemale icells iis icalled
i phunki iremoval. iOrdinarily, ithe iemergence iof ilac inymphs ifrom ithe ibrood ilac iceases iafter
i three iweeks.

The iphunki ilac iis ithen iscrapped ioff ifrom ithe ibrood ilac ito iavoid iemergence iof ienemy iinsects.
i Phunki ibundles iare ipulled idown ifrom ithe ihost itrees iwith ithe ihelp iof ipole imounted iphunki
i hook ior iby iclimbing ion itrees.

4. Harvesting of Lac i i

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Harvesting iis ithe iprocess iof icollection iof ilac ifrom ithe ihost itrees. iIt iis idone iby icutting ithe ilac
i encrusted itwigs iwhen iit iis imatured.

Harvesting ican ibe idone iin itwo iways:

(i) Immature iHarvesting:

In ithis icase ilac iis icollected ibefore iswarming. iLac, ithus iobtained, iis icalled i‘ARILAC’. iThe ilac
i insect imay ibe idamaged iat ithe itime iof iimmature iharvesting iwhich iwould icause ipopulation
i destruction iof ilac iinsects iand imay iresult iin igreat ieconomic iloss ito icultivators. iHowever, iin
i case iof iPalas ilac i(Rangeeni ilac), ithis itype iof ilac iwas ifound ito igive ibetter iquality iof
i production. iSo iimmature iharvesting iis iencouraged ionly ifor ithis ilac.

(ii) Mature iHarvesting:

In ithis icase, ilac iis icollected iafter iswarming. iThe ilac, ithus iobtained iis icalled i‘Mature iLac’. iFor
i mature ilac iharvesting, iit iis ivery iimportant ito iknow ithe iexact idate iof iemergence iand iswarming
i of inymphs. iA isimple ivisual imethod iis iadopted ifor ithis ipurpose. iA iyellow ispot idevelops ion ithe
i posterior iside iof ithe ifemale ilac icell itoward icrop imaturity.

Gradually ithe ispots ispread iforward iuntil iit icovers ihalf iof ithe icell. iCutting iof itwigs ifor
i harvesting ican ibe idone iat iany itime ibetween ithe istages iwhile ithe iyellow ispot ioccupies ione-
third ito ione-half iof ithe icell iarea i. iSometimes, iit iis idesirable ito iwait itill ithe iemergence iof ifirst
i new inymphs.

1.4. i Economic importance of Lac culture

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The iscarlet iresinous isecretion iof ia inumber iof ispecies iof ilac iinsects iis iknown ias iLac.
i Commercially ithe iIndian ilac iinsect iLaccifer ilacca iis iimportant.

It iis imostly ifound iin ithe itropical ior isubtropical iregions ion ithe ibanyan iand isome iother iplants.
i The ifemales iare iin ithe iform iof iglobular iand ithey ilive ion ithe itwigs iin icells iof iresin ithat iare
i created iby iexudations iof ilac.

Laccifer iis ia ispecies iof iinsect ithe isecond ilargest ifamily iof ithe ianimal ikingdom iin ithe ifamily
i Charadriidae, iKerria ilacca iknown ias ithe ilac iinsects.

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Lac ihas ifound imany iapplications:

 It iis iused ifor imaking itoys ithat iare iused iin iplastics.
 It iis iused iin imaking isealing iwax iand ialso iused iin igramophone irecords.
 Lac iis iused iby ijewellers ito ifill ithe ihollow ipart iof ithe igold iand ialso iin ithe isilver iornaments i.
 The imost icommon iby iproduct iof ilac iis inail-paint iwhich iis iused ias icosmetics.
 The ifluid iof ilac idye iis iused iby iIndian iwomen ito iapply ion itheir ihand iand ifeet iwhich iis
i commonly iknown ias iaalta.
 The ishell iof ilac iis iused iin ithe ipreparation iof ipaints.
 Lac iis icommonly iused iin imaking ithe iink ithat iis iused iin iprinters.
 Lac iis imostly iused ias iinsulating imaterial.
2. Apiculture

Apiculture i- ithe imaintenance iof ihoneybees iand ihives i- iprovides ifarmers iand ihobbyists iwith ia
i variety iof ienterprises iincluding iproduction iof ibeeswax, ihoney iand iother iedible ibee iproducts;
i crop ipollination iservices, iand ithe isale iof ibees ito iother ibeekeepers.

Honey-producing ibeekeeping idates iback i10,000 iyears. iGeorgia iis i“Beekeeping’s iCradle”
i Georgia ihas ithe ioldest ihoney. iThe i5,500-year-old itreasure iwas idiscovered iin i2003 inear
i Borjomi, iGeorgia. iCeramic ijars iheld ilinden iand ifloral ihoney. iEgyptian iart ifrom i4,500 iyears
i ago idepicts ibee idomestication. iAncient iChina, iGreece, iand iMaya ihad ibeekeeping.

2.1. Species of honey bee

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Indian ibee: iApis icerana iindica.

Rock ibee: iApis idorsata.

European ibee: iApis imellifera.

Little ibee: iApis iflorea.

Dammer ibee ior istingless ibee: iMelipona iiridipennis.

2.2. Life Cycle of Honey Bee

i i i i

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 The ilife icycle iof ihoneybees iconsists iof ifour istages: ieggs, ilarva, ipupa iand iadult. iThis ientire
i process ivaries ilengthwise iamongst ithe idifferent ihoney ibees. iIt itakes iabout i16 idays ifor ithe
i queen, i18 ito i22 idays ifor ithe iworker ibees iand i24 idays ifor ithe idrones.
 The iqueen ibee ilays ifrom i2000 ito i3000 ieggs ia iday iin ithe ihoneycomb, ione iin ieach icell. iThe
i fertilized ieggs, iwhich iwill ibecome ifemale ihoney ibees i– iworker ibees, iare ilaid iin ismaller
i cells ias iopposed ito ithe iunfertilized ieggs, iwhich ibecome imale ihoney ibees i– idrones.
 Three idays iafter ian iegg iis ilaid, iit ihatches iinto ia iworm-like iform icalled ilarva. iThe ilarva ihas
i no ilegs, iwings ior iantenna. iA ilarva ithat iis ifed ionly iroyal ijelly, ia isubstance isecreted ifrom
i the iglands iof ithe inurse ibees, iwill iemerge ifrom iits icell, iknown ias ithe iqueen icell, ias ia iqueen
i bee. iOther ilarvae, iwhich igrow iinto iworker ibees iand idrones, iare ifed iroyal ijelly ifor itheir i2-3
i days iand ithen iswitch ito i iturn ibee ibread i(pollen iand ihoney).
 The ilarva iis icapped iwithin ithe icell iwith iwax. iIt ispins ia icocoon iaround iits ibody iand
i eventually ipupates. iThe ipupa idevelops iwings, ilegs, ihead, ieyes, ithorax iand iabdomen iand
i begins ito ilook ilike ian iadult ibee. iAfter iabout i7 ito i14 idays, ithe ibee ichews iits iway ithrough
i the iwax icapping iand ihatches iout iof ithe icell.

https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Life-cycle-of-honey-bee

2.3. Methods of Apiculture

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1. Flow Hive i

It iis ione iof ithe imost iused iand isuccessful itools iwhere ithe iapiarists ican iharvest ithe ihoney ieasily.
i There iis ino ineed ito iopen ithe ihive iand iat iany icause, ithe ibees iwill inot ibe idisturbed.

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2. Typical movable hive
i i

It iis ian iartificial itype iof iscientific ibeekeeping, icompletely imade iof ia iwooden ibox. iBased ion
i the ineeds, ithe iframes ivary ifrom ione ihive ito ianother. iOnce ithe iqueen ibee iis iplaced, iit icannot
i come ioutside iof ithe ihive. iWithin ithe iminimum ispace, iworker ibees ican ieasily ienter i& iexit ithe
i hive. iIt imainly iconsists iof isix iparts, iwhich iare idiscussed iin idetail iin ithe iupcoming ipoints. iThe
i stand iis ithe ibase ipart iof ithe ihive, iwhere ithe irainwater ican ifall iquickly. iThe iinner icover
i provides i100% iventilation iand ithe itop icover iprotects ithe ientire icolony ifrom irainwater.

3. Queen excluder i

The iqueen ibee iis ikept iin ithe iinterior iportion iof ithe ibrood ichamber iand iworker ibees ican ieasily
i pass ithrough iit.

4. Honey extractori

This ione iis imainly iused ito iextract ithe ihoney iand ithe ifunctionality iwill ibe iprocessed ibased ion
i the icentrifugal iforce.

5. Uncapping Knife i

Once ithe ihoney iis ifilled, ithe icombs iwill ibe isealed iby iusing iwax imaterial. iHere, ithe isealing iis
i completely ieradicated iwith ithe iaid iof ian iuncapping iknife. iLists iof iother iequipment iare icages,
i gloves, igarments, ibrush, inet, ietc.

2.4. Importance of Apiculture

i i

There iare imany iagricultural-based icountries iin ithe iworld. iWe ihave imany iflowers iin ithe ifield,
i on iroads, iand ieven iin ithe ijungle, ifull iof inectar. iIf iwe imake ia ilittle ieffort, iwe icollect ihoney
i from ithese iflowers ito ibring iour ieconomic isolvency iand idevelop iour inational iwealth.
i However, ithrough irearing ihoney ibees, iwe ican iget itwo ithings.

 Honey.
 Wax.

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Uses of Honey
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 About i80 ichemical iconstituents iidentified iin ihoney ihave ihigh ifood ivalue.
 Honey iplay ia isignificant irole ifor ichildren, iand iolder ipeople.
 honey iis ian iexcellent ifood ifor ihard ilaborers iand iplayers.
 We ican iregain ilost ienergy ivery iquickly iby iusing ihoney.
 Consumption iof iraw ihoney ican ireduce ithe irisk iof ideveloping idiabetes iand isupports ithe
i effects iof idiabetes imedication.
 It ican ihelp ireduce icholesterol iand idecrease icoronary iartery idisease irisk.
 Raw ihoney imakes ithe ibrain ifunction ioptimally iby istrengthening ithe iheart iand iimproving
i blood icirculation.
 Raw ihoney ican ihelp ireduce iseasonal iallergies iif isourced ilocally.
 We ican iuse iit ias ian iaffordable iface icleanser ito ifight iacne iand iis igentle ion isensitive/all iskin
i types.
 A ispoonful iof iraw ihoney imixed iwith iolive ioil iand ia isqueeze iof ilemon iworks ias ia
i hydrating ilotion.
 Raw ihoney ican icleanse iand irestore ithe ihealth iof ihair iand iscalp.

Uses of wax i i

Wax iis iused ifor ivarious ipurposes. iSome iare igiven ibelow:

 Candle iindustry, iwhere iwax iis ithe imain iingredient.

 Pharmaceuticals, iespecially ifor imaking icapsules.
 One iof ithe ibest ibenefits iof iusing ibeeswax ion ithe iskin iis imoisturizing iand isoftening.
 Cosmetic iindustry; iface icream, ilipstick.
 Furniture iindustry.
 Used ifor iMaking ielectric iinsulators.
3. Sericulture

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Sericulture iis ithe iprocess iof icultivating isilkworms iand iextracting isilk ifrom ithem. iThe
i caterpillars iof ithe idomestic isilkmoth i(also icalled i‘Bombyx iMori’) iare ithe imost icommonly
i used isilkworm ispecies iin isericulture.

Other itypes iof isilkworms i(such ias iEri, iMuga, iand iTasar) iare ialso icultivated ifor ithe iproduction
i of i‘wild isilks’.

3.1. Life cycle of Silkworm

i i i

The ilife icycle iof isilk imoth istarts iwhen ia ifemale isilk imoth ilays ieggs. iThe icaterpillar ior ilarvae
i are ihatched ifrom ithe ieggs iof ithe isilk imoth. iThe isilkworms ifeed ion imulberry ileaves iand igive
i rise ito ipupa. iIn ithe ipupa istage, ia iweave iis inetted iaround iby ithe isilkworm ito ihold iitself. iAfter
i that iit iswings iits ihead, ispinning ia ifibre imade iof ia iprotein iand ibecomes ia isilk ifibre.

Stage 1: Eggi i

An iegg iis ithe ifirst istage iof ithe ilife icycle iof ithe isilkworm. iThe iegg iis ilaid iby ia ifemale imoth
i which iis imostly ithe isize iof ismall idots. iA ifemale imoth ilays imore ithan i350 ieggs iat ia itime. iIn
i the ispringtime, ithe ieggs ihatch idue ito ithe iwarmth iin ithe iair. iThis iprocedure ihappens ionce iin
i every iyear.

Stage 2: Silkworm
i i

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A ihairy isilkworm iarises iafter ithe ieggs icrack. iIn ithis istage iof isilkworms, ithe igrowth ihappens.
i they ifeed ion imulberry ileaves iand iconsume ia ilarge iamount iof ithese ileaves ifor iaround i30 idays
i before igoing ito ithe inext istage.

Stage 3: Cocoon
i i

In ithis istage, isilkworms ispin ia iprotective icocoon iaround iitself. iIt iis ithe isize iof ia ismall icotton
i ball iand iis imade iof ia isingle ithread iof isilk.

Stage 4: Pupa
i i

The ipupa istage iis ia imotionless istage. iIn ithis istage, ipeople ikill ithe ipupa iby iplunging ithe icocoon
i into iboiling iwater iand iunwind ithe isilk ithread.

Stage 5: Moth
i i

In ithis istage, ithe ipupa ichanges iinto ian iadult imoth. iThe ifemale imoth ilays ieggs iafter imating iand
i thus ithe ilife icycle iof isilkworm ibegins iagain.

https://www.toppr.com/ask/question/what-is-sericulture-explain-the-life-cycle-of-silk-worm/

3.2. What is the Process Followed in Sericulture?

i i i i i i

For ithe iproduction iof imulberry isilk, ithe isericulture iprocess ifollows ithree iprimary isteps.

 Moriculture i– ithe icultivation iof imulberry ileaves.

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  Silkworm irearing i– ipromoting ithe igrowth iof ithe isilkworm.
 Silk ireeling i– ithe iextraction iof isilk ifilaments ifrom ithe isilkworm icocoons.
1. Moriculture

Moriculture irefers ito ithe icultivation iof imulberry iplants, iwhose ileaves iare iused ias isilkworm
i feed. iThese iplants ican ibe igrown ivia ithree idifferent imethods:

 Cultivation ifrom iseeds

 Root-grafting
 Stem igrafting

The istem igrafting imethod iis ithe imost icommonly iused imethod ifor imulberry iplantation. iHere,
i cuttings ithat iare iapproximately i22 icentimetres iin ilength, icontaining iat ileast i3 ibuds, iare iextracted
i from ithe istem iof ia imature imulberry iplant. iThese icuttings imay ibe idirectly iplanted ior ifirst ikept iin
i nurseries iand ithen itransplanted.

The imulberry ileaves ican ibe iharvested ifrom ithe iplants ivia ithe ifollowing imethods:

 Leaf ipicking i– ithe iremoval iof iindividual ileaves iby ihand.

 Branch icutting i– iremoval iof ithe ientire ibranch.
 Top ishoot iharvesting i– iremoval iof ithe imulberry ishoot itops.
2. Silkworm Rearing i

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  In isericulture, ithe isilkworm irearing iprocess ibegins iwith ithe ilaying iof ieggs iby ithe
i female isilk imoth. iTypically, i300-500 ieggs iare iobtained ifrom ione ifemale isilk imoth.
i These ieggs i(laid ion ia ipaper/cardboard isheet) iare ithen idisinfected iwith ithe ihelp iof ia i2%
i formalin isolution.
 A ifeeding ibed iis iprepared ion ia irearing itray iby isprinkling ichopped imulberry ileaves
i onto iit. iThe ihatched ilarvae iare itransferred iinto ithis itray ivia ia iprocess iknown ias
i brushing. iIn iorder ito imaintain ihumidity, ifoam istrips iare isoaked iin iwater iand iplaced ion
i the itray.
 The isilkworm ilarvae iinitially ihave ia igood iappetite. iAs ithey igrow, itheir iappetite islowly
i diminishes iuntil itheir iactive istage. iAt ithis istage, ithe isilkworm ieats ienthusiastically
i until iits ifinal ifeeding istage.
 After ireaching imaturity, ithe ilarvae ibegin isearching ifor ihospitable iplaces ito ibegin itheir
i pupation. iAt ithis istage, ithe ibody iof ithe isilkworm ishrinks iand ibecomes itranslucent.
i These imature ilarvae inow iwrap ithemselves iin ia icocoon iby isecreting isaliva ifrom ithe
i two isalivary iglands ion itheir iheads. iThis isaliva isolidifies iand ibecomes isilk iwhen iit
i comes iin icontact iwith iair.

3. Silk Reeling
i

 Inside ithe icocoons, ithe ilarvae iundergo imetamorphosis iand iturn iinto ipupae. iThe
i harvesting iof isilk ifrom ithese icocoons iis ithe ifinal istage iof isericulture. iFirst, ithe ipupae
i inside ithe icocoon iare ikilled iby iboiling ithe icocoon iand iexposing iit ito isteam iand idry
i heat. iThis iprocess iis icalled istifling.

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  Now, ithe isilk ifilaments iare iremoved ifrom ithe idead icocoon ivia ia iprocess icalled ireeling.
i When ithe icocoons iare iplaced iin iboiling iwater ifor iapproximately i15 iminutes, ithe
i adhesion iof ithe isilk ithreads ireduces, ienabling ithe iseparation iof iindividual ifilaments.
i These ifilaments iare itwisted iinto ia ithread iwith ithe ihelp iof ia iseries iof iguides iand
i pulleys. iThis isilk iis ithen ire-boiled iin iorder ito iimprove iits ilustre.

3.3. Importance of Sericulture

i i

Since iancient itimes, isilk iis ia ivalued icommodity. iIt iis ia iversatile imaterial iwith iremarkable
i softness, istrength, idurability, ielasticity, iand iabsorbency. iIt iis iused iin iclothing, iupholsteries,
i surgical isutures, ibeddings, iparachutes, ietc.

1. High Employment Potential

i i

Although isilk ihas ia ismall ipart iin ithe iglobal itextile imarket, iit istill igenerates imassive
i employment. iSericulture iand isilk iproduction iinvolves ia iseries iof iintricate iprocesses ithat
i require ia ilot iof iworkforces. iIn iIndia ialone, iit iprovides i7.9 imillion ijobs.

2. Fuels Rural Economies

i i

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In iThailand, i20,000 iweaving ifamilies irely ion isericulture iindustries. iData ialso ishows ithat
i approximately i57% iof ithe isales ion isilk ifabrics iflow iback ito ithe igrowers, igenerally irural
i communities. iTherefore, isericulture isupports ithe ivitality iof imany ivillages iin ivarious
i countries.

3. Women-friendly Industry i

According ito ihistorical idocuments, iEmperor iHuang-di’s iwife, iLei-Su, itaught ipeople isilkworm
i rearing iand isilk ireeling iin i2600 iB.C. iUntil itoday, iwomen iplay ia ihuge irole iin ithe isericulture
i industry.

Women iworkers iperform idifferent isericulture iprocesses ifrom imulberry igarden imanagement,
i leaf icollection, isilkworm irearing, icocoon icollection, ito ifilament ireeling iand iweaving.

4. Low Maintenance, High Returns

i i i

You ican istart isericulture iwith ia ismall iparcel iof iland iwithout ihiring imassive ilabour. iIt’s ionly
i essential ito iknow ihow ito itake icare iof ithe isilkworms iproperly.

Silkworms iare ialso ilow-maintenance, iwhich imake isericulture ian iideal iproject ifor istudents.
i Silkworms ineed ito ibe ifed ionly i1-2 itimes ia iday, ireach ia imaximum ilength iof ionly i3 iinches
i during itheir i45-day igrowing iperiod, iand ihave ia ishort ilife icycle.

5. Silkworm as Food i i

You idon’t ihave ito iown iagricultural iland ito iengage iin isericulture. iSilkworms ican ibe ireared iin
i small iboxes iwith iproper iventilation.

The iprotein icontent iof isilkworm isurpasses ithat iof ipork, ibeef, iand ichicken. iBecause iof ithis,
i researching iis iinvestigating ithe ipotential iof isilkworm ipupae ias ifood ifor ispace itravels.

You ican ialso ifarm isilkworm iat ihome ifor ipet ifeeding.

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References

Omkar (2017). An Introduction to Industrial Entomology. In: Omkar (eds)

i i i i i i i i i

i Industrial Entomology. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org

i i i i

Anon (2010). The Honey Bee Life Cycle.

i i i i i i

https://www.gobuzzr.com/methods-of-beekeeping/

https://agriculturistmusa.com/apiculture/

https://byjus.com/chemistry/silkworm/

Everythingsilkworms/the-importance-of-sericulture/

K. Sanchita. 4 Main Stages Involved in Lac Cultivation.

i i i i i i i i

S. Shriya. Lac Culture of Insects | Zoology.

i i i i i i i

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