Characteristics of cocoons of Antherina suraka (Saturniidae) feeding on different host plants in Madagascar

The extraordinary breadth of the larval diet of the Malagasy endemic wild silkmoth, Antherina suraka (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) raises the possibility that the cocoon quality of the species might vary depending on the host plant. The wild silkworms as well as various host plants were collected in the eastern and central part of Madagascar in November, December 2008 and January 2009. These larvae were raised locally by feeding them with associated plant leaves, namely Polyscias bakeriana and Ligustrum sp., in order to obtain cocoons. Reverse phase high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to separate and quantify the amino-acids present in cocoons and in host plant leaves. The results obtained were compared to see similarities and differences in terms of nature and relative proportion of amino-acids composing the leaves and the cocoons collected in different regions. This research sheds light on the effect of diet on the quality of cocoons of A. suraka. Results of our study may be used to enhance wild silk production, which could be a source of ecologically sustainable income for local people that will avoid over-exploitation of endangered remaining forests in Madagascar.