Colophospermum mopane – A Potential Host for Rearing Wild Silk Worm (Gonometa rufobrunnea) in Arid Rajasthan

Abstract

India is the biggest consumer of raw silk and silk fabrics and second largest producer of raw silk after China. There are two types of silk viz., mulberry silk and vanya silk (non-mulberry silk). India has vast potential for production of vanya silks which plays a major role in rural livelihood security. Vanya silk can also be produced from the cocoons of wild silkworm, Gonometa rufobrunnea insect. The main food plant of Gonometa rufobrunnea is Colophospermum mopane commonly called as mopane. Mopane is a xeric species of South Africa and introduced in India for sand dune stabilization. The review discuss about the possibility of rearing Gonometa rufobrunnea in already available mopane plantations in arid regions of the country to increase production of vanya silk and to improve the rural economy in arid regions of India.