“South Asian Ways of Silk - A Patchwork of Biology, Manufacture, Culture and History”

Ole Zethner

doi:10.4172/2161-0983.1000174

Abstract

This note reviews the biological aspects of the book “South Asian Ways of Silk - A Patchwork of Biology, Manufacture, Culture and History”, covering the different species of silk moths and their management. The review centers on the Mulberry Silk Moth but also other silk moths (the Eri Silk Moth and wild silk moths) are covered in detail. Considerable research has taken place in most South Asian countries, which now has to be carried out to the rearers of silk moths, who are the backbone of sericulture. Obstacles to this are mentioned.

Highlights

November 2015, the book “South Asian Ways of Silk
Larvae raised from adults of cocoons of tasar silk moths are placed on leaves of the host tree, where they move from tree to tree, often helped by bending trees towards each other (Figure 4) [2]
The commercial production of mulberry silk in India was considerable by the end of the 18th century, when huge amounts of silk fabrics were produced for local consumption and export to other Asian countries and to Europe

Summary

Introduction

November 2015, the book “South Asian Ways of Silk. A Patchwork of Biology, Manufacture, Culture and History” was published by BOOKBELL in Guwahati, Assam, India [1]. The book was written by 12 authors from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar (Burma), Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and from Denmark (see under references below). The book is the first of its kind and comprises most aspects of silk: biology of the silk moths, rearing of cocoons, manufacturing of silk threads and fabrics, designs, marketing of fabrics and the history of silk. The biological aspects of the book are reviewed, in particular the research efforts to improve sericulture in South Asia (Figure 1)

The mulberry silk moth

The eri silk moth

The wild silk moths

Development of mulberry silk moth races and mulberry varieties

Silk Production Figures over Time

Reasons to differences in silk production figures

Findings

Conclusion