Silk is a mixture of fibroin (a protein) and sericin (silk gum) produced in the stomach of matured silkmoth larvae. The quality and the quantity of silk produced by a ripe larva directly depend on the quality and quantity of the silk contents in the silk gland. Healthy growth of the larva ensures healthy growth of the silk gland and maximum production of silk. The silk glands (left and right) of cultivated eri silkmoth Samia ricini are elongated, tabular, folded and occupy conspicuous part of larval anatomy. Typologically these are 'Z' type having zigzag middle and posterior part. The average length of the silk gland is about 40.50±17.49 cm with a weight of about 1.29±0.14 g when reared on its favourite food plant the Castor bean Ricinus communis. The growth of the silk gland is significantly correlated (P=0.05) with the growth of the matured fifth instar larvae. Similarly, qualitative and quantitative silk production are found directly dependant on the growth of the silk gland.
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