author(s)
M Maheswari and G Govindaiah

abstract
Mulberry, Morus alba, (L.) leaves are the predominant source of food for silkworm, Bombyx mori L. rearing. Pink mealy bug Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green) infests the mulberry plants and cause tukra diseases that leads to both quantitative and qualitative loss of leaves. Hence a study was carried out to evaluate the efficacy of commonly available botanical extracts for their antifeedancy property against pink mealy bug. The plant extracts obtained from Lantana, Garlic, Ginger, Neem and Vitex are viz. 2, 4, 8 and 10 percent respectively. After 24 hours, the highest antifeedancy of the nymphs was recorded with 10% methanolic (61%) and aqueous extract (50%) of lantana. The lowest antifeedancy percent was recorded with vitex (49%, 39%) respectively. In case of adult mealy bugs, the maximum antifeedancy recorded with 10% aqueous and methanol extract of lantana (58%, 47%). At 2% concentration, the range of antifeedancy recorded by the above plant extracts ranged from 9 to 27% and 15 to 36%. As the dose of the botanical extracts increases the effect of antifeedancy of the mealy bugs also increased.