Raigad district of Maharashtra as a possible metapopulation and host plant rich area for Attacus atlas Lin. (Lepidoptera: Saturnidae)

ABSTRACT

Attacus atlas Lin. (Lepidoptera: Saturnidae) is wild and largest Silkmoth. Its cocoons are used to make a durable silk called “Fagara Silk”. Standard rearing technique of A. atlas is yet to be established. Ecology plays an important role for establishment of rearing technique. Therefore, occurrence, host plants, distribution, habitats, biotic and abiotic factors have been studied from Raigad district of Maharashtra. Although reported from almost all districts of western Maharashtra, its major occurrence was noted in Raigad district since host plant diversity including mangroove plants Rhizophora mucronata P. R. apiculata B. and Thespecia populnea Lin. was probably rich. T. populnea was found along entire riverine vegetation of river Savitri. A. atlas was recorded feeding on leaves of 12 host plants including Ficus carica L. Ricinus communis L., Annona squamosa L, Ocimum sanctum L. Mangifera indica L., Psidium guajava L., Eucalyptus sp, etc. indicating Raigad district of Maharashtra as a metapopulation and host plant rich area for A. atlas.

 Key words -   Attacus atlas, wild silk moth, host plants, mangrove, metapopulation, Raigad.   

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