Muga silk worm - Antheraea assama Ww (Lep.): habitat, climate change effects and performance in new climate zones

Anthaerea asssama (lep.) Ww. The wild Muga silk worm producing the golden silk of Assam- is endemic, feeds on mainly the two food plants of Lauraceae : Persea bombycina and Litsea polyantha, localized in North-Eastern and eastern states of India and means of livelihood for over 30000 families for centuries. Restricted Primary food plant distribution, favourable climatic conditions of Brahmaputra valley plus unique genome has localized the wild silk worm in the world. Silk production restricted to 100 mt/yr and facing threat of climate change effects and pollution, the Climate models predict 2.0 to 3.5 C increase in temperature and 250 - 500mm increase in precipitation with more threats of crop failures/survivability itself. Analysis of climatic change effects in key locations like Lakimpur, Kamrup and Shivsagar made. Multivoltine Muga silkworm completes six life cycles/yr-two commercial,two seed crops’ seasons most adverse but threatening now due to climate change effects and other two successive crops shifting to danger zone from moderately safe zone. In line with climatic changes, ten year data on performance in seed crop and commercial crop analysed resulting in erratic performance with the threat to livelihood activities. Efforts made to identify new pockets in sub –Himalayan hill (1000 to 2500 MASL) for season specific favourable conditions and identified few locations in Meghalaya, Sikkim, Manipur in NE and Kalimpong/Dargeeling, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh out side NE states. Naturally grown food plant pockets located for trail/introductory rearings and plan of action to introduce muga silkworm rearing in completely new habitat done. Performance in new zones analysed,cocoon & seed quality compared which showed significant improvement especially in Sikkim, Uttarkhand and Meghalaya. Introduction linked problems of new habitat in Uttarkhand and Manipur discussed. A new home for relocating wild insect population found to tackle adverse climate conditions for sustained silk production.