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<p>The wild silkworm, <i>Antheraea mylitta</i> (Drury) (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae), reared on <i>Terminalia tomentosa</i> and <i>T. arjuna</i> in the forests of tropical regions of India, produces a wild variety of silk referred to as ‘Tasar Silk’. Rearing under natural conditions, however, exposes the different growth stages of <i>A. mylitta</i> to parasites and predators. One such formidable predator is the predatory ant, <i>Myrmicaria brunnea</i> Saunders (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), which results in significant crop losses. Initially, one or a few workers of <i>M. brunnea</i> attack the <i>A. mylitta</i> larva, and later additional workers join in. We studied the predatory and feeding behaviour of <i>M. brunnea</i> on the larvae of <i>A. mylitta, </i>including attack behaviour, prey handling, stage-specific mortality, and overall damage potential, reflecting the severity of the attacks. Such studies are crucial for devising effective, sustainable management strategies in Tasar sericulture. By understanding the predatory behaviour and predatory impact of <i>M. brunnea</i>, targeted control measures can be developed, including habitat management, use of biological control agents, avoiding rearing silkworms near ant nests, and integration into broader eco-friendly or integrated pest management (IPM) programs aimed at reducing pesticide reliance and preserving the forest ecosystem.</p> Graphical Abstract <p></p>

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Life Stage Susceptibility of the Wild Silkworm Antheraea mylitta (Saturniidae) to Predation by Myrmicaria brunnea (Formicidae): Implications for Tasar Sericulture

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年5月30日

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  • Ganesh B. Gathalkar,
  • Deepak D. Barsagade

摘要

The wild silkworm, Antheraea mylitta (Drury) (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae), reared on Terminalia tomentosa and T. arjuna in the forests of tropical regions of India, produces a wild variety of silk referred to as ‘Tasar Silk’. Rearing under natural conditions, however, exposes the different growth stages of A. mylitta to parasites and predators. One such formidable predator is the predatory ant, Myrmicaria brunnea Saunders (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), which results in significant crop losses. Initially, one or a few workers of M. brunnea attack the A. mylitta larva, and later additional workers join in. We studied the predatory and feeding behaviour of M. brunnea on the larvae of A. mylitta, including attack behaviour, prey handling, stage-specific mortality, and overall damage potential, reflecting the severity of the attacks. Such studies are crucial for devising effective, sustainable management strategies in Tasar sericulture. By understanding the predatory behaviour and predatory impact of M. brunnea, targeted control measures can be developed, including habitat management, use of biological control agents, avoiding rearing silkworms near ant nests, and integration into broader eco-friendly or integrated pest management (IPM) programs aimed at reducing pesticide reliance and preserving the forest ecosystem.

Graphical Abstract