The upcoming discussion will update you about the difference between the morphological characters of female and male mulberry moths.
Difference # Morphological Characters of Female Moth:
Adult Stage:
1. Body size of female mulberry moth is larger (wing-span: 40-50 mm, length: 25-26 mm) than the male [Fig. 3.19a (i)].
2. Head with antennae shorter than that of male.
ADVERTISEMENTS:
3. Female mulberry moth has broad and long abdomen with seven visible segments.
4. The caudal end bears median knob like hairy projection that secretes pheromone.
5. Female mulberry moths are less active.
Pupal Stage:
ADVERTISEMENTS:
1. The body is broader than male pupa [Fig. 3.19b (i)].
2. On the ventral side of 8th abdominal segment, a vertical line is present.
3. No spot is present on 9th abdominal segment of female mulberry moth [Fig. 3.19b (i)].
Larval Stage:
ADVERTISEMENTS:
1. In the raptured larva, one pair of Ishiwata’s fore-gland and a pair of Ishiwata’s hind glands are present at the ventral side of 8th and 9th abdominal segments respectively [Fig. 3.19c(i)].
2. The female cocoon is heavier than the male cocoon.
Difference # Morphological Characters of Male Moth:
Adult Stage:
1. Body size of male mulberry moth is smaller (wing-span: 40-45 mm, length: 22-24 mm) than the female [Fig. 3.19a (ii)].
2. Head with antennae longer than that of female.
3. Male mulberry moth has short and narrow abdomen with eight visible segments.
4. The caudal end bears a pair of hook-like har- pens, which help in copulation.
5. Male mulberry moths are more active.
Pupal Stage:
ADVERTISEMENTS:
1. The body is narrower than the female pupa [Fig. 3.19b (ii)].
2. No vertical line is present on 8th abdominal segment.
3. A small spot is present on 9th abdominal segment in male mulberry moth [Fig. 3.19b (ii)].
Larval Stage:
1. The male larva possesses a single small median white gland — Herold’s gland at ventral side, near the junction of 8th and 9th abdominal segments [Fig. 3.19c (ii)].
2. The male coccon is lighter than the female cocoon.
