Tropical Tasar Silkworm Antheraea mylitta Drury: A Propitious Ecological Indicator of Forest Ecosystems in India

Abstract

Anthropogenic activities have increasingly led to habitat fragmentation and biodiversity loss across ecosystems worldwide, severely impacting species such as Lepidopterans, which act as ecological indicators. Among them, the Tropical Tasar Silkmoth (Antheraea mylitta Drury), a unique species endemic to India, which has been deeply woven into the lives and traditions of Scheduled Tribe and Scheduled Caste communities, has suffered heavy population losses as its natural habitats continue to shrink. This study investigates the distribution and genetic diversity of A. mylitta ecoraces across Odisha, where seven historical ecoraces have dwindled to five, with signs of local extinction in some regions. Through Cytochrome b as a mitochondrial molecular marker, phylogenetic analyses revealed the gene flow patterns consistent with geographical proximity but also uncovered unexpected genetic similarities, suggesting historical population mixing. Habitat degradation, primarily from mining and deforestation, has severely impacted tasar host plant availability, leading to a decline in the tasar silk production and threatening the wild ecorace survival. The findings highlight the critical need for conservation strategies focusing on habitat protection, genetic monitoring, and sustainable management to preserve A. mylitta populations and the forest ecosystems they symbolize.