Characteristics of Wild Silkworm Cocoon (Attacus atlas) Yielded at The Field Laboratory Faculty of Animal Science, of IPB

Abstract

Attacus atlas is known as wild silkworm that produces cocoon, which will produces silk. The aim of this study was to obtain information on the characteristics of wild silkworm cocoon (Attacus atlas) yielded at the field laboratory of Animal Science Faculty, of IPB. Parameters measured were whole cocoon weight, measured of every four days, cocoon shell weight, percentage of cocoon shell weight, floss weight, percentage of floss weight, pupae weight, percentage of pupae weight, cocoon length, diameter of cocoon, circumference of cocoon, and identification of moth sex. The results showed that cocoon characteristics varied due to harsh surrounding environment (temperature and moisture). Whole cocoon weight every four days (H4 = 4,25-8,02 g, H8 = 3,46-12,38 g, H12 = 2,19-12,12 g, H16 = 1,45-11,94 g, H20 = 1,12-11,76 g, H24 = 1,03-11,47 g, H28 = 1,00-11,19 g, H32 = 0,82-10,86 g, H36 = 0,82-10,39 g, H40 = 0,81-8,57 g), cocoon husk weight (0,10-1,54 g), percentage of cocoon husk weight (4,42-23,27 %), floss weight (0,08-0,58 g), percentage of floss weight (1,94-21,71 %), pupae weight (0,49-8,20 g), percentage of pupae weight (30,44-89,31 %), cocoon length (41,04-68,28 mm), diameter (posterior, medial and anterior) of cocoon (16,16-28,05 mm; 21,35-31,20 mm; 17,34-29,10 mm), circumference (posterior, medial and anterior) of cocoon (57,00-85,00 mm; 80,00-97,00 mm; 70,00-88,00 mm). From 72 cocoons evaluated, 40 cocoons were succeeded to become moths. Of 40 moths, there were remained 15 males and 25 females, with the sex ratio of (1: 1, 67). The failure of cocoon to be moth might be due to environmental hazard and disturbance.

Attacus atlas merupakan salah satu spesies ulat sutera liar penghasil kokon yang dapat diproses menjadi benang sutera. Kokon yang dihasilkan memiliki prospek yang baik untuk dikembangkan karena nilai ekonominya yang tinggi dibandingkan dengan kokon sutera murbei. Semakin besar kokon maka semakin banyak produksi benangnya. Hal ini sangat ditentukan oleh kualitas kokon yang ditentukan oleh faktor pakan, suhu, dan kelembaban. Serangga A. atlas mampu menghasilkan serat sutera yang memiliki karakteristik yang unik dan spesifik, yaitu warna yang eksotik, benang yang panjang, lembut, tidak mudah kusut, tahan panas, tidak menimbulkan rasa gatal, dan anti bakteri. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mempelajari dan memperoleh informasi mengenai karakteristik kokon dari ulat sutera liar (A. atlas) hasil pengokonan di Laboratorium Lapang Fakultas Peternakan IPB.