Effect of larval food plants and seasons on the quality of the African wild silkmoth, gonometa postica walker (lepidoptera: lasiocampidae) cocoons
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Date
2009
Authors
Fening, K. O.
Kioko, E. N.
Raina, S. K.
Mueke, J. M.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
Wild silkmoth farming offers an economic incentive for forest-adjacent communities to
fully participate in forest conservation initiatives. Gonometa postica Walker is known to
produce high-quality silk. It is being utilised for commercial wild silk production by the
forest-adjacent communities in Mwingi District in Kenya. The developmental time of G.
postica larvae and cocoons quality were studied in the Imba and Mumoni woodlands of
Mwingi during the long and short rainy seasons of 2006 and 2007. Acacia elatior Brenan,
Acacia tortilis (Forssk.) and Acacia nilotica (L.) Del were used as larval host plants. Larvae
were reared in semi-captivity by using net sleeves attached to the branches of the host
plants. Also, cocoons from the wild population were sampled from the host plants to
evaluate their quality. The weight and size of cocoons were used as the determinant of their
quality. Larval developmental period and cocoons quality differed according to host plants,
seasons and sites, for those reared in semi-captivity. However, cocoons quality from the
wild habitat varied with seasons and sites but not with host plants. Larvae reared on A.
elatior had the shortest developmental period and highest cocoons quality than those raised
on A. tortilis and A. nilotica. Thus, A. elatior is recommended as the most suitable host plant
for the semi-captive rearing of G. postica larvae. This will help augment the natural
population of the silkmoth and to ensure the sustainable harvesting of the cocoons.
Description
Proceeding of the 1st Kenyatta University Research conference held on 28th – 30th 2009 at Kenyatta University