Question

The scientific name of Oak Silkworm is:
A. Bombyx mori
B. Antheraea pernyi
C. Antheraea assamensis
D. Attacus ricini

Answer 1

Hint: The silkworms are a group of insects in Phylum- Arthropoda, Class- Insecta, and Order- Lepidoptera, and names of silkworms can be related to their scientific names.

Complete answer:
Silkworms are larval stages of silkworm moths or the caterpillar stages of the moths so silk is produced by silkworms basically by its caterpillars which will later turn into moths as they pass through various development stages. As the larval stages develop they go through various skin shedding phases which are referred to as instars. Usually, there are 5 instars in the development or life cycle of a silkworm.
A. Bombyx mori is a Mulberry silkworm and the most domesticated species among various silkworms.
B. Antheraea pernyi is Oak silkworm which is native to China and has been domesticated in various other countries now. This silkworm feeds on Oak leaves and can chew through even the thick leaves with the help of its mandibles. The larval stages that are the caterpillars that produce silk have a characteristic feature which is hairy bodies. The Oak silkworms have a surprisingly hairy body with freckles. It is used for the production of Tussah silk fibre which is widely used in the west and can also be referred to as Tussah Silkworm.
C. Antheraea assamensis is a Muga silkworm which is endemic to the North-Eastern regions of India especially Assam.
D. Attacus ricini is an Eri silkworm which produces a superior quality of silk and feeds on varieties of Castor Beans.
Thus, the correct answer is Option B.

Additional information:
The eggs of Antheraea pernyi are a solid color with no dark bands showing. The eggs hatch soon after and the hatchlings are very hairy worms in black color. They shed their first skin after five days and change into pale-looking caterpillars of yellow-green color. Caterpillar feeds on oak leaves and as it digests and excretes the silk out of its gut, it starts spinning the silk fibres. The larval stage goes through five instars in total and forms a pale brown colored spotted moth in a few weeks. Silk production is called sericulture in which various silkworms are domesticated for obtaining silk.

Note: A simple way to remember the names is:
Antheraea pernyi: pernyi is similar to the word perennial which means a year, Oak silkworms take a year to complete their life cycle and are perennial.
Antheraea assamensis: are endemic to Assam
Attacus ricini: Ricin is a natural protein present in castor beans on which these silkworms feed.