Silk moths in Madagascar: a review of the biology, uses, and challenges related to Borocera cajani (Vinson, 1863) (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae)

摘要

Borocera cajani or landibe (vernacular name) is the wild silk moth that is currently used toproduce silk textiles in Madagascar. This species is endemic to Madagascar, and is distributedthroughout the island, colonizing the Uapaca bojeri or “tapia” forest of the central Highlands.The forest provides food in the form of plants for B. cajani, including U. bojeri leaves. Thespecies secretes silk at the onset of pupation and for making cocoons. Borocera cajani and itsnatural habitat are threatened by human destruction, such as bush fires, firewood collection,charcoal production, and the over-harvesting of their cocoons. Wild silk production largelydisappeared when the silk industry utilized many people on the island as the collectors ofcocoons, spinners, dyers, weavers, and artists who transform the silk into clothes, accessories,and objects. Therefore, it is important to study the biology of B. cajani to revitalize silkproduction in a way that helps conserve this species and the tapia forest.