Tasar silkworm (Antheraea mylitta) is a species of wild silkworm that produces tasar silk. Tasar Silk is a thick, strong and lustrous fiber with superior qualities to those of mulberry silk. The tasar worm feed on leaves of the tree Terminalia catappa and are therefore found in the tropical forests of Central and South India as well as in some parts of China and Thailand.
The Indian Forest Act, 1927 defined a “forest” as land having a minimum tree density of 10% (or more). This act was enacted to ensure sustainable use and management of forest resources. Subsequently, many states have their own definition for forests which may be higher or lower than the definition under the central act. As per state forest Acts, large areas which were not earlier considered as forests have been brought under this definition thereby expanding the total forest area in India from 190 Mha in 1951 to 637 Mha in 2015.
The term ‘tasar’ is derived from Hindi language word ‘taasaar’ meaning blue colour. The cocoon shell of tasar silkworm is bluish black whereas body colouration varies from light to dark brownish depending on geographical region where they are reared. Tasar larvae are polyphagous i.e., they can feed on different host plants but preferTerminalia catappaand Tectona grandis leaves for growth and development . They generally complete their life cycle within 45–60 days at 27±2°C temperature with 65–75% relative humidity.