Papaya mealybug infestation on mulberry reported recently has caused uprooting of mulberry plantaion in large areas in Tamil Nadu, and thereby great economic loss. Now, its spread to sericultural belts of Karnataka besides creeping into the tapioca plantations affecting eri silkworm rearing as well, has become a matter of serious concern. The scientists of Central Silk Board in coordination with the Departments of Sericulture, Tamil Nadu Agriculture University, Coimbatore and National Bureau of Agriculturally Important Insects have jointly taken up studies on the causes, extent of damage, and came out with measures to contain the menace while creating an awareness amongst the farmers of the affected areas. Further to the forewarning published in August 2009 issue, Indian Silk brings out a detailed report on the attempts being made on the research front, understanding the biology and suggesting biological control measures and also highlighting the studies conducted on the severity of the problems in eri silkworm host plants in Tamil Nadu.
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