Reproductive Behaviour of Muga Silk Moth, <i>Antheraea assamensis</i> (Helfer)

Abstract

Reproductive behaviour including calling, courtship and mating behaviour of muga silk moth, Antheraea assamensis Helfer (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) has been reported here. Muga silk moths are nocturnal and moth emergence occurs from late evening till midnight. Both male and females are sexually mature by the time of eclosion from cocoon, displaying reproductive behaviour from the first day of emergence. Virgin females start releasing sex pheromone exhibiting characteristic calling behaviour after dusk, 1.5 to 2 hr after emergence. These display simple courtship behaviour of 4-12 min duration and virgin females tend to mate with the first male coming in contact. However, once mated females reject further mating attempts by approaching males by walking away or vigorous wing fluttering. Moths start mating (coupling) on the first night onwards, after 2 to 3 hr of emergence. Mating duration ranged from 10 - 16 hr. Male moths mated with multiple females within 4 days of emergence, but no moths mated more than once in a night. Female moths typically mate only once in their lifetime, but multiple mating with intermittent egg laying by female was observed during summer.