| Antheraea assamensis | |
|---|---|
| Antheraea assamensis, male. Borneo | |
| Caterpillars | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Saturniidae |
| Tribe: | Saturniini |
| Genus: | Antheraea |
| Species: | A. assamensis |
| Binomial name | |
| Antheraea assamensis Helfer, 1837 |
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| Synonyms | |
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The Muga Silkworm is the larva of the Assam Silkmoth (Antheraea assamensis), a moth of the Saturniidae family. It is found in India (namely Assam), Burma and Sundaland.
The larva feed on Cinnamomum, Laurus, Litsea, Carpinus, Persea, Magnolia, Michelia, Quercus, Sarcostemma and Symplocos.
Its silk has a beautiful glossy golden hue which improves with age and washing. Is never bleached or dyed and is stain resistant. Was reserved for the exclusive use of royal families in Assam for 600 years. Like other silkmoths, the female have a larger abdomen and slender antennae when compared to males. The larvae are vibrantly coloured and are monophagus as other silkmoths .[1][2]