REARING PERFORMANCE OF ERI SILKWORM (PHILOSAMIA RICINI) FROM WARANA HILLY REGION AREA, KOLHAPUR, MAHARASHTRA

An attempt was made to rear the eri silkworm, Philosamia ricini on leaves of caster and reared under laboratory condition. It observed that is a primary potential host silkworm. The growth parameters cocoon characters silkworm were normal. successfully lasted its life cycle ranged from 38 40 days. effective rate rearing, weight pre-spinning larvae, cocoon, shell pupae 70 75 per cent, 6 7 g, 3.01 3.05 0.40 0.45g, 2.50 2.70g, respectively. Parameters such as length shell, width thickness etc. fecundity 400 425 eggs. Rearing performance need in western Maharashtra for future development raw silk production.