Eri

Eri Silk is produced by rearing silk worm (Samia ricini Donovan) traditionally and plays a significant role, in the agrarian economy of several communities in the North Eastern region of India except Tripura. The Eri Silkworm is polyphagous, feeds primarily on Castor (Ricinus communis) and Kasseru (Heteropenax fragrans). The other secondary food plants on which Eri Silk worms can be reared are Tapioca (Manihot esculenta), Payam (Evodia flaxinifola), Plum (Plumeria acutifolia), Papaya (Carica papaya). Barkesseru (Ailanthus excels), Barpat (Ailanthus grandis), Gulancha (Plumera acutifola), Gamari (Gmelina arborea) etc. Silkworm eggs are very important basic material for the production of silk. ‘Good quality seed’ can be defined as that which is free from pathogens, has more number of viable eggs, gives good uniform hatching, assures a stable cocoon crop which is prepared from healthy and robust parents. Seeds examined by adopting scientific method and found free from pathogens (microsporidian, bacterial and fungal) are known as disease-free-layings (DFLs).