Entomology- ICAR JRF/SRF 2024

• Central Silk Board (CSB) Research Institutes:
• Pair-by-Pair Matching:
• CTRTI $\rightarrow$ (II) Jharkhand: Central Tasar Research and Training Institute is situated in Ranchi, Jharkhand.
• CMERTI $\rightarrow$ (III) Assam: Central Muga Eri Research & Training Institute is located in Lahdoigarh, Jorhat, Assam.
• CSRTI $\rightarrow$ (IV) Karnataka: Central Sericultural Research and Training Institute is located in Mysuru, Karnataka (with sister institutes in Berhampore and Pampore).
• CSGRC $\rightarrow$ (I) Tamil Nadu: Central Sericultural Germplasm Resources Centre is located in Hosur, Tamil Nadu.
• Correct Choice: Option 3 matches (A)-(II), (B)-(III), (C)-(IV), (D)-(I).

Correct option: (3) (A) - (I), (B) - (ID), (C)- (IV), (B) - (1)

• Comparative Size of Adult Silkmoths:
• Adult Body and Wingspan Comparison:
• Bombyx mori (Mulberry silkmoth): Adult moth has a wingspan of only $40-50\text{ mm}$, completely flightless with a compact body.
• Philosamia ricini (Eri moth): Wingspan of $100-120\text{ mm}$.
• Antheraea assamensis (Muga moth): Wingspan of $120-140\text{ mm}$.
• Antheraea mylitta (Tasar moth): Giant saturniid moth with wingspan of $140-160\text{ mm}$.
• Conclusion: Bombyx mori is the smallest in adult size (Option 3).

Correct option: (3) Bombyx mori

• Pests of Stored Silkworm Cocoons:
• The Dermestid Beetle (Dermestes spp.):
• In sericulture cocoon storage rooms and grainages, dermestid beetles (Dermestes ater and Dermestes cadverinus) are the most destructive natural enemies.
• Both larvae and adult beetles bore into dry cocoons to feed on dead pupae, cutting through silk filaments, staining silk fibers, and rendering cocoons unreelable as waste.
• Other Beetles Listed: Tribolium feeds on flour; Lasioderma on tobacco; Stegobium on dried bread.
• Conclusion: Dermestes is the most destructive natural enemy of silkworm cocoons (Option 2).

Correct option: (2) Dermestes