Eri Silk Culture

The word Eri seems to be derived from “Era or Eranda”, the Assamese local name of “Castor”- the primary food plant of Eri silkworms. Eri silkworm Philosamia ricini is polyphagous and feeds on wide range of host plants. Castor Ricinus communis and Kesseru Heteropanax fragrans are two primary food plants. Some of the important secondary food plants are Tapioca (Manihot utilessima); Payam (Evodia flaxinifolia); Barkesseru (Ailanthus excelsa); and Papaya (Carica papaya). This is the only Vanya that is domesticated & reared indoor.