Question

India is known for the rich fauna of the serigenous insects due to
(A) Samia ricini and Attacus atlas
(B) Bombyx mori and Acteas selene
(C) Philosamia ricini and Antheraea myllita
(D) Antheraea proylei and A. frithi
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

• A. (A), (B) and (C) only
• B. (B), (C) and (D) only
• C. (A), (C) and (D) only
• D. (A), (B), (C) and (D)

Hint:

India is unique in producing all five commercial silks (Mulberry, Tropical Tasar, Oak Tasar, Eri, and Muga).
All the genera listed (Bombyx, Antheraea, Samia/Philosamia, Attacus, and Actias) are silk-producing moths found in India.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Serigenous insects are insects that produce silk of commercial or ecological value.
India has a rich diversity of these insects due to its varied climates and forest ecosystems, which support both domesticated and wild silk-producing moths.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us analyze the insect species listed in the options:
- (A) Samia ricini and Attacus atlas:
Samia ricini (commonly known as Philosamia ricini) is the domesticated Eri silkmoth, which is cultivated in Northeast India.
Attacus atlas (the Atlas moth) is one of the largest lepidopterans in the world. It is found in Indian forests and produces a durable, coarse silk known as Fagara silk.
- (B) Bombyx mori and Actias selene:
Bombyx mori is the highly domesticated mulberry silkmoth, which is the primary source of commercial silk in India.
Actias selene (the Indian moon moth) is a wild serigenous moth found in India that produces silk of scientific and minor commercial interest.
- (C) Philosamia ricini and Antheraea mylitta (spelled myllita in the question):
Philosamia ricini is the Eri silkmoth, and Antheraea mylitta is the tropical Tasar silkmoth, which is native to the forests of central and eastern India.
- (D) Antheraea proylei and Antheraea frithi:
Antheraea proylei is the temperate oak Tasar silkmoth cultivated in the sub-Himalayan region.
Antheraea frithi is a wild tasar silkmoth species found in the forested regions of India.
All of these species are native to or cultivated in India, contributing to the country's unique status as a major producer of both domesticated and wild (Vanya) silks.
Therefore, all four groups (A, B, C, and D) represent serigenous insects found in India.
This makes option (D) the correct choice.

Step 3: Final Answer:
India's rich serigenous insect fauna includes all the listed species across options (A), (B), (C), and (D).