Effect of Spirulina supplementation on post-cocoon parameters of Tasar Silkworm (Antheraea mylitta)

ABSTRACT Antheraea mylitta Drury is a wild sericigenous insect known for producing economically valuable silk. India ranked second in the world for Tasar silk production, following China. Tasar culture serves as an important resource for the socio-economic development of tribal communities. It primarily feeds on Terminalia arjuna, Terminalia tomentosa, and Shorea robusta. The present study investigates the impact of Spirulina platensis supplementation on the growth of the Tasar silkworm through foliar application on T. arjuna leaves, the primary host plant. Spirulina, a nutrient-dense microalgae, was applied in three different concentrations to assess its influence on cocoon quality and silk yield. They were reared under natural outdoor conditions and fed exclusively on treated leaves in 4th and 5th instars. Among the tested concentrations, the moderate ratio resulted significantly enhanced post-cocoon performance, with notable improvement in cocoon weight, shell weight, and silk filament length. These results suggest that moderate Spirulina supplementation effectively boosts nutritional intake, supporting better silk production outcome. The study highlights the potential of Spirulina as a natural and sustainable bio-supplement to improve silk quality in sericulture, especially in tribal and forest-based Tasar farming systems. Keywords: Antheraea mylitta, Tasar silkworm, Terminalia arjuna, Spirulina, post-cocoon parameters