Sericulture lec China History Stages Duration Activity

1. SericultureSericulture
The art of rearing silkworm for production of silkThe art of rearing silkworm for production of silk
History:History:
Interesting incidence about sericulture in China.Interesting incidence about sericulture in China.
About 4000 years ago Queen See Lang of China had lot of interestAbout 4000 years ago Queen See Lang of China had lot of interest
in insects, birds and animals.in insects, birds and animals.
One day it was raining, while the queen was busy in her breakfastOne day it was raining, while the queen was busy in her breakfast
when her servant brought an insect in a saucer.when her servant brought an insect in a saucer.
She picked up this insect in hurry so it dropped in her cup of tea.She picked up this insect in hurry so it dropped in her cup of tea.
The queen took it from her cup and felt in her fingers a lustrousThe queen took it from her cup and felt in her fingers a lustrous
fiber around the body of insect, in form of silken threads.fiber around the body of insect, in form of silken threads.

2.  One craftsman in palace claimed that he canOne craftsman in palace claimed that he can
prepare a silken handkerchief if he is provided withprepare a silken handkerchief if he is provided with
100 such cocoons.100 such cocoons.
 As desired by the queen such insects wereAs desired by the queen such insects were
searched from the mulberry trees and reared onsearched from the mulberry trees and reared on
tender leaves.tender leaves.
 The silk was used in preparing handkerchief.The silk was used in preparing handkerchief.
 Chinese name the art of silkworm rearing afterChinese name the art of silkworm rearing after
their queen ‘See Lang’.their queen ‘See Lang’.
 Chinese people inaugurate a festival on theChinese people inaugurate a festival on the
advent of spring.advent of spring.

3.  Silk is produced by number of species of familySilk is produced by number of species of family
Bombycidae (Lepidoptera)Bombycidae (Lepidoptera)
 Silkworm caterpillar feed on mulberry leaves. (silkSilkworm caterpillar feed on mulberry leaves. (silk
produced of better quality)produced of better quality)
 Univoltine – One generation (single crop in aUnivoltine – One generation (single crop in a
year).year).
 Serrated leaves of the mulberry which are takenSerrated leaves of the mulberry which are taken
by caterpillars easily.by caterpillars easily.
 Low temp and humidity so, sub-mountains tractsLow temp and humidity so, sub-mountains tracts
can be used.can be used.

4.  AdultAdult
 Dirty white about 1” long.Dirty white about 1” long. ♂♂ Smaller andSmaller and
have more appointed abdomen,have more appointed abdomen,
 wings covered with scales and not used forwings covered with scales and not used for
flightflight
 Mouthparts vestigial both sexes die afterMouthparts vestigial both sexes die after
matingmating

5.  EGGEGG
 Hemispherical grayish very small about the size of opiumHemispherical grayish very small about the size of opium
plant seedplant seed
 Incubation period ranges from 10-12 daysIncubation period ranges from 10-12 days
 LARVAELARVAE
 Full grown caterpillar is elongated greenish grey 3” longFull grown caterpillar is elongated greenish grey 3” long
 Thorax wrinkled and swollen.Thorax wrinkled and swollen.
 Silk is produced in silk glands (salivary glands), which afterSilk is produced in silk glands (salivary glands), which after
coming out from the mouth gets in contact with air andcoming out from the mouth gets in contact with air and
become stiffbecome stiff
 The labium portion of mouth parts is modified intoThe labium portion of mouth parts is modified into
spinneretspinneret

6.  PUPAPUPA
 Before going for pupation the spinneret startsBefore going for pupation the spinneret starts
oozing out silk thread around its own bodyoozing out silk thread around its own body
 Cocoon is prepared in which pupa is concealedCocoon is prepared in which pupa is concealed
 It remains hidden for 8-10 daysIt remains hidden for 8-10 days
 During this period a morphological change occursDuring this period a morphological change occurs
in its body and becomes adult.in its body and becomes adult.
 It secrets some chemical due to which one sideIt secrets some chemical due to which one side
becomes weak and adult winged moth cuts its waybecomes weak and adult winged moth cuts its way
out.out.

7.  PROCUREMENT OF SILK SEEDPROCUREMENT OF SILK SEED
 Silk Seed (eggs) production lab – Muree HillsSilk Seed (eggs) production lab – Muree Hills
 One ounce seed 40,000 – 50,000 eggsOne ounce seed 40,000 – 50,000 eggs
 25 full grown mulberry trees are needed25 full grown mulberry trees are needed
 Start Feb – MarchStart Feb – March
 SELECTION OF INCUBATION ROOMSELECTION OF INCUBATION ROOM
 Incubation in incubatorIncubation in incubator
 Room fumigated by Sulphur , wind proof , heatingRoom fumigated by Sulphur , wind proof , heating
facilityfacility

8.  INCUBATIONINCUBATION
 Place eggs on sheet of paper on tubePlace eggs on sheet of paper on tube
 Spread like fine filmSpread like fine film
 Cover with basket for safeguard against rats ,Cover with basket for safeguard against rats ,
sparrows and white antssparrows and white ants
 Temp. 22.2°Temp. 22.2°CC – 26.6°– 26.6°CC
 Hygrometer/thermometer and 2-3 buckets of waterHygrometer/thermometer and 2-3 buckets of water
to maintain humidityto maintain humidity
 Disturb eggs 2-3 times daily, with soft feather forDisturb eggs 2-3 times daily, with soft feather for
uniform heat.uniform heat.
 Hatching 10-12 days and is completed in 2-3 daysHatching 10-12 days and is completed in 2-3 days

9.  After hatching place some cloth, cover themAfter hatching place some cloth, cover them
 The cloth along with caterpillar should be liftedThe cloth along with caterpillar should be lifted
very gently and kept on proper place to startvery gently and kept on proper place to start
rearingrearing
 REARINGREARING
 Do not touch newly hatched caterpillars.Do not touch newly hatched caterpillars.
 The batch of 24 hours should be kept separate.The batch of 24 hours should be kept separate.
 Success, synchronization of hatching withSuccess, synchronization of hatching with
sprouting of mulberry leaves.sprouting of mulberry leaves.
 5 instars of the caterpillar5 instars of the caterpillar
 Plenty of space – otherwise there is high mortalityPlenty of space – otherwise there is high mortality
due to congestiondue to congestion

10.  FEEDINGFEEDING
 Start -7-10a.mStart -7-10a.m
 Should be done 4-7 times at an interval 3-5Should be done 4-7 times at an interval 3-5
hourshours

11.  HOW TO PREPARETHE LEAVES FOR FEEDINGHOW TO PREPARETHE LEAVES FOR FEEDING
 Bring twice in a day 9 or 10 am or in EveningBring twice in a day 9 or 10 am or in Evening
 Cover with cloth before feedingCover with cloth before feeding
 Larvae 4 moultsLarvae 4 moults
 Stop feeding before every moult and becomeStop feeding before every moult and become
sluggishsluggish
 Keep 1/3rd of interior body raise up and withdrawKeep 1/3rd of interior body raise up and withdraw
thoracic legs during moultingthoracic legs during moulting
 When 75% have moulted feeding should be doneWhen 75% have moulted feeding should be done

12.  DURATIONDURATION
 1st moult --------------- 6days1st moult --------------- 6days
 2nd moult ---------------5days2nd moult ---------------5days
 3rd moult --------------- 7days3rd moult --------------- 7days
 4th moult ---------------9days4th moult ---------------9days

13.  SANITATIONSANITATION
 Refused leaves and excreta must beRefused leaves and excreta must be
removedremoved
 Trays should be cleaned 2 days after eachTrays should be cleaned 2 days after each
moultmoult
 Caterpillars become restless is 5th stageCaterpillars become restless is 5th stage
and move for pupationand move for pupation
 Length of thread of a caterpillar is 120-150mLength of thread of a caterpillar is 120-150m

14.  COLLECTION AND DRYING OFCOLLECTION AND DRYING OF
COCOONSCOCOONS
 Cocoon ----3-4 days for completionCocoon ----3-4 days for completion
 If cocoon are not collected at the properIf cocoon are not collected at the proper
time the moths will make hole and thustime the moths will make hole and thus
injuringinjuring
 Therefore it is necessary to kill the moth soTherefore it is necessary to kill the moth so
that thread is not destroyedthat thread is not destroyed

15.  KILLINGKILLING
 Sun heat : Exposed 2 to 3 days in subSun heat : Exposed 2 to 3 days in sub
covered with black clothcovered with black cloth
 SteamSteam

16. DISEASES AND ENEMIESDISEASES AND ENEMIES
 Flacherie or flaccidityFlacherie or flaccidity
 4th and 5th stages very fatal. Do not spin cocoon4th and 5th stages very fatal. Do not spin cocoon
 Pebrine diseasePebrine disease
 Heritable, Black spots on the body, oval corpuscles in theHeritable, Black spots on the body, oval corpuscles in the
serum (healthy seeds)serum (healthy seeds)
 GrasserieGrasserie
 Larvae becomes restless and yellowish in colorLarvae becomes restless and yellowish in color
 Muscardine or CalcineMuscardine or Calcine
 Fungal and contagious in nature. Larvae become mealyFungal and contagious in nature. Larvae become mealy
 PESTPEST
 Lizard, Rats & AntsLizard, Rats & Ants