Vol. 12, Issue 3 (2023)

Author(s):
Prashant Natikar, Pramod Sasvihalli, Halugundegowda GR and HS Sarvamangala

Abstract:
Sericulture stands for livelihood opportunity for millions owing to its high employment potential, low capital requirement, and remunerative nature. India being the second largest silk-producing country in the world, next to China, provides employment to over 8.5 million people in the entire silk production value chain from farm to fabric. The mulberry silkworms are domesticated for a long time, the adaptability of these silkworms in unfavourable climatic conditions is quite different from the wild silkworms and other insects. As silkworms are cold-blooded animals, the temperature will have a direct effect on various physiological activities. The vulnerability of raw silk production to climate change depends not only on the physiological response of the affected silkworm host plants but also on silkworm rearing and post-cocoon technology as well as changes in the frequency of droughts or floods. The effect of global warming on silkworms and other beneficial insects is of greater significance because they are involved in many biotic interactions which play a major role in the ecological functioning as well as they use to contribute a significant amount to the GDP of the country.