Association of Different Quantitative Traits of Cocoons of Ecoraces Raily of Antheraea mylitta Drury with Different Altitudes in its Different Ecopockets

摘要

An attempt was made to assess the morphometric variations in the quantitative traits of cocoons of ecorace Raily of tropical tasar silk insect from its seven eco-pockets presenting different altitudes ranging from 381 to 670 m AMSL. The altitude as independent variable conferred positive association with seven quantitative traits of cocoons as predicted variables. This association remained lowest between altitude and pupal weight and highest between altitude and cocoon volume. The study shows that the weight of cocoon increases along with its volume with increasing altitudes in different eco-pockets of Raily. The cocoon length and breadth with the lowest value of regression coefficients and coefficient of variations indicate that cocoon length and breadth are stable traits as these two have the minimums of deviation from the regression line of all the seven eco-pockest. The intercepts and regression coefficients of the different groups of associates presented different levels of vested prediction. The ecorance Raily shows altitudinal gradients for its voltinism and stability of the voltinism. The vigor of the cocoon traits changes with the altitude of that eco-pocket.