Moga Silk Moth

Description:

The specimen hold by my hand is Antheraea assamensis (female) and the pinned specimen is Antheraea assamensis (male).

Notes:

Muga silk is only produced in Assam in northeastern India, where it has been cultivated for many centuries. The silkmoth is Antheraea assamensis (Helfer). The caterpillars feed on trees in the laurel family (Lauraceae) including ones in the genera Litsea, Machilus, Cinnamomum, and Actinodaphne. They also are known to use trees in other families, including some in the magnolia family, like Michelia. Lampe (2010, page 274) reared larvae in Germany on beech (Fagus sylvatica). The insect ranges in sub-Himalayan India, Nepal, Bhutan, Thailand, Burma, and southern China. As our illustrations show, the silk is a beautiful golden color, and consequently it is never dyed. It has great cultural value in Assam and is highly esteemed all over India. Saris made of muga silk are quite costly and are highly prized by their owners. Most of the muga weaving takes place in the Assamese village of Sualkuchi. We illustrate here a piece of fabric from there. Mekhala chaddars and scarves are worn by women on special occasions, and many of these are beautifully embroidered or brocaded in traditional colors (red, yellow, green) with traditional motifs, as can be seen on the choli (blouse) we show here. Some wrappers are also composed of spun silk, which has a golden brownish color, but not the brilliant gold color of the reeled cloth. The dhoti shown here is the most diaphanous wild silk textile we have seen. It would be worn only on very special occasions.