Non-mulberry silkworms produce various types of silk distinct from the widely known mulberry silk, with tasar, eri, muga, and anaphe being the principal varieties. These fascinating insects produce unique silks with diverse textures and properties, often thriving on different host plants compared to their mulberry-fed counterparts.
Principal Non-Mulberry Silk Varieties
The primary non-mulberry silkworms, often categorized by their geographic distribution and the specific conditions they prefer, include:
- Tasar Silk (Tropical and Temperate): Produced by silkworms primarily from the Antheraea genus, tasar silk is a wild silk known for its rich texture and natural copperish tint. It accounts for nearly 95% of the global production of non-mulberry silks, making it the most significant type in this category.
- Eri Silk: Also known as "peace silk" because the silkworm, Samia ricini, is often allowed to complete its metamorphosis before the silk is harvested. Eri silk is known for its woolly texture and exceptional durability.
- Muga Silk: Exclusive to Assam, India, muga silk is produced by the Antheraea assamensis silkworm. It is highly valued for its natural golden colour and glossy texture, which is said to improve with age and washing.
- Anaphe Silk: Originating from Africa, anaphe silk is produced by silkworms of the Anaphe genus, which are known for spinning communal cocoons.
Other Non-Mulberry Silks of Limited Interest
Beyond the principal types, several other non-mulberry silkworms and even other organisms produce silk-like fibers, though their contribution to global production is limited:
- Fagara Silk: Produced by species such as Philosamia cynthia ricini, primarily found in regions like China.
- Coan Silk: An ancient silk, historically produced around the Mediterranean, possibly from silkworms of the Pachypasa genus.
- Mussel Silk (Byssus): While not from an insect, this is a natural fiber produced by certain bivalve molluscs (like the pen shells, Pinna nobilis) to attach themselves to surfaces. It's sometimes grouped with "silks" due to its proteinaceous nature and fine filaments.
- Spider Silk: Known for its exceptional strength and elasticity, spider silk is produced by various spider species. While extensively researched for its remarkable properties, it is not commercially viable for large-scale textile production due to the difficulty of farming spiders.
Overview of Non-Mulberry Silk Types
| Type of Silk | Producing Silkworm/Creature | Key Characteristics | Production Volume |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tasar | Antheraea species | Copperish tint, rich texture | ~95% of non-mulberry |
| Eri | Samia ricini | Woolly, durable, "peace silk" | Limited |
| Muga | Antheraea assamensis | Natural golden, glossy | Limited (Assam exclusive) |
| Anaphe | Anaphe genus | African origin, communal cocoons | Limited |
| Fagara | Philosamia cynthia ricini (e.g.) | - | Limited interest |
| Coan | Pachypasa (e.g.) | Historical | Limited interest |
| Mussel | Pinna nobilis (e.g.) | From molluscs, byssus fiber | Limited interest |
| Spider | Various spiders | Strong, elastic, not textile viable | Limited interest |
Sericulture Requirements
Regardless of the specific type of silk being produced, all branches of sericulture—the practice of rearing silkworms for silk—require access to appropriate food plants for the silkworms and a significant amount of manpower for their care and the subsequent processing of the silk.
