• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.117-120
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• 2001

In India, mulberry (Morus spp.), the sole food plant of the silkworm, Bombyx mori (Linn.), is prone to infestation by the pink mealybug, Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green). Infestation by this pest causes apical shoot malformation, popularly known as 'tukra'. Occurrence of tukra causes an appreciable reduction in leaf yield and quality, leading to low silkworm cocoon productivity. For management of M. hirsutus (Tukra), an IPM package comprising mechanical, chemical and biological measures was demonstrated in the mulberry gardens of five Government Silk Farms in Mysore District (Karnataka, India) during 1995-96. A suppression of 76.0% in tukra incidence and 90.19% in mealybug population was recorded by employ the IPM package which led to an estimated 4,000 kg recovery in leaf yield/ha/year. The impact of IPM package in the management of M. hirsutus, the role of biocontrol agent (Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Muls.) in pest suppression and the cost-benefit analysis of the IPM package are discussed.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.201-203
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• 2008

A field study on self trap cropping system in controlling tukra mealy bug Maconellicoccus hirsutus Green) incidence on mulberry (Morus spp.; V-1 variety; $3'{\times}3'$ spacing) gardens was undertaken in selected sericulture farmers' mulberry gardens of Pydeti village (Parigi Mandal, Anantapur District, Andhra Pradesh, India). The study was conducted for three years (2004, 2005 and 2006). Four treatments (T0; control/no treatment, T1; self trap cropping rows with 10 row interval, T2; self trap cropping rows with 10 row interval and treating these rows only with 0.5% neem oil emulsion and T3; self trap cropping rows with 10 rows intervals and treating all the mulberry rows including self trap cropping rows with 0.5% neem oil emulsion) were considered. The results indicated that the incidence increased in T0 and T1 while the same suppressed in T2 and T3. The suppression (%) of tukra incidence between T2 and T3 was not significant. Hence, T2 only was recommended to farmers as its economical viable practice. The results are discussed based on the importance of tukra, its suppression and cost of treatment.