Explore common insect pests affecting mulberry cultivation, their damage symptoms, and suitable management methods based strictly on sericulture context from Tamil Nadu. Build foundational knowledge of pest identification and control for healthy mulberry plants.
Which insect pest, known for causing 'Tukra' (Bushy top disease) in mulberry, is identified as Maconellicoccus hirsutus?
Explanation: Pink mealybug, Maconellicoccus hirsutus, is directly linked to Tukra in mulberry, causing characteristic bushy tops and leaf malformations. Termite damages stems, leaf webber creates webs in leaves, and thrips mainly injure leaf surfaces and sap, not causing Tukra.
What is a recommended biological control for papaya mealy bug infestations in mulberry plantations?
Explanation: The recommended strategy includes releasing imported Encyrtid parasitoids to biologically control papaya mealy bug. Fish oil rosin soap is used for pink mealybug, chlorpyriphos for termite management, and flood irrigation is unrelated to mealy bug control.
If a mulberry plant shows skeletonized leaves with webbing and folded shoots, which pest is most likely responsible?
Explanation: Leaf webber larvae web leaves together and feed inside, skeletonizing the tissues and folding shoots. Papaya mealy bug causes yellowing and stunting but not webbing, thrips merely streak and dry leaves, and termites attack stems.
Which symptom is most closely associated with termite (Odontotermes obesus) infestation in mulberry?
Explanation: Termites form an earthen covering on stems and cause drying by feeding on bark. Leaf malformation and wrinkling are signs of pink mealybug, skeletonized webbed leaves of leaf webber, and streaked brown leaves result from thrips.
Infestation with which pest leads to early maturity and moisture depletion in mulberry leaves, causing yellowish brown mature leaves?
Explanation: Thrips compromise leaf quality and cause early maturity, moisture depletion, and yellowing. Termites affect stems, papaya mealy bugs cause stunting and sooty mould, and leaf webbers produce webbing effects.
Which action is part of recommended management for controlling pink mealybug infestation in mulberry?
Explanation: Cutting and burning affected shoots limits the spread of pink mealybug. Chlorpyriphos manages termites, flood irrigation is used for leaf webber control, and dichlorvos at day 30 is part of leaf webber management.
Which plants should be conserved to maintain reservoirs of parasitoids for biological control of papaya mealybug in mulberry fields?
Explanation: These specific weeds act as reservoirs for beneficial parasitoids. The other listed plants are not mentioned as pest parasitoid reservoirs in mulberry pest context.
Which pest's honeydew secretions often result in the development of sooty mould on mulberry plants?
Explanation: Papaya mealy bug produces honeydew, which supports sooty mould growth; thrips dry out leaves, leaf webber causes webbing, and termites do not produce honeydew.