Gynandromorphism in Sericulture: A Review

Sericulture is an agro-based industry. It is based on cultivation of host plants, rearing of silkworms and production of silk. There are four types of commercial silkworm i.e., mulberry, eri, muga and tasar. Among them, mulberry is only monophagous and the rest are polyphagous. In sericulture, gynandromorphism is too rare. Gynandromorphs are aberrant behaviours or traits that show both male and female features in a certain individual. There are mainly three types of gynandromorph- 1. Bilateral 2. Anterior-posterior 3. Sex piebald. Till now gynandromorphic moth is found only in Tasar, muga, mulberry and Attacus moth. If we compare the normal one with gynandromorphic moth then it is found that gynandromorphic moth is less active (characteristics) than normal ones. In 2010 only one muga gynandromorph was found at Lahdoigarh. There is no any evidence of eri gynandromorph. The causes of the Gynandromorphism are varied. It occurs due to mutation, UV radiation, temperature, or in interspecific hybrid cross. In this paper, Gynandromorphy in sericulture is discussed in brief manner.