Sericultural Entomology

This book covers the problems of pest management in sericulture through research and development of different integrated pest management tactics. The book has been written primarily for students of sericulture and applied biology, but it can also be used with equal benefit by researchers, extension workers and educated farmers. The distribution of silkworm host plants and brief life cycle of all the commercially exploited silkworms in India have been described. The biology, life cycle, nature of damage and recommendations for the control of major pests of mulberry, tasar, oak tasar, muga and eri silkworm host plants have been extensively discusses. Life history and control of major parasites and predators of silkworm have been discussed in detail. The principles and methods of pest control have been described with ecological bias. Efforts have made to include cultural, mechanical, legislative, biological and chemical methods of pest control so that student can draw help from them while devising integrated control practices, this book also discusses the general principles underlying chemical pesticides along with a brief history of their development. It lists the main types of insecticides, and herbicides with discussion of their chemical preparation, uses and biochemical mode of action. Some novel methods of pest control viz. use of attractants, repellants chemo-sterilants and herbal methods have been discussed in detail. The adverse impact of the agrochemicals on the ecosystem has been described along with mitigating measures such as biological control. Conservation and augmentation of predators and parasitoids for control of parasites have also been included. The principles, concepts, mechanisms and current practices of biological control of insect pests have been described in detail. Classical biological control includes augmentation of natural enemies and restoration of ecology. All these aspects have been discussed in detail. The books ends with a chapter on integrated pest management which carries the latest knowledge in terms of practical hints for effective and economical pest control.