Review on mite’s infestation and their management with special reference to mulberry

Abstract

Mulberry, Morus spp. (Urticales: Moraceae) is the only food plant of silkworm, Bombyx mori L. (Lepidoptera: Bomycidae). More than 300 species of insect and non-insect species are reported to infest one or the other part of the mulberry plant. Mites belonging to families of Tetranychidae and Eriophyidae are found to cause mulberry leaf damage to the tune of 5-10 per cent in India. So far 16 species of mulberry mites have been recorded on mulberry through out the world, of which 8 species are reported from India (Dar et al., 2015) Mites are known to migrate from various alternate hosts to main economic crop. An integrated approach of pest control involving mechanical, biological and chemical are essential to manage the pest problem successfully.