Studies on impact of food plant and weather parameters on longevity of female
muga silkworm Antheraea assama under terai climatic conditions of West Bengal,
India revealed that the pre-oviposition period was higher on soalu (Litsea polyantha
Juss.) (1.60 days) than som (Machilus bombycina King) (1.57 days). The higher preoviposition
period (1.93 days) was recorded during December-February. The oviposition
period was more on som (3.79 days) than soalu (3.36 days). The maximum (4.35
days) and minimum (2.69 days) mean oviposition period were recorded in September-
October and March-April. The post-oviposition period was longest (1.11 days) on
soalu than som (0.85 days). It was longest in September-October (1.28 days) and
shortest in March-April (0.82 dyas). The adult from som fed stock lived long (6.15
days) as compared to that of soalu fed stock (6.09 days). The adult longevity was
longest in September-October (6.97 days) and shortest in March-April (4.94 days).
The period of pre-oviposition, oviposition, post-oviposition and adult longevity varied
over food plants and seasons due to variation in climatic conditions.