Shree, M.P., & Mahadeva, A.M. 2005 Biochemical studies in the insect pest infested mulberry varieties and their impact on sericulture.. Advances in Indian entomology: productivity and health (a silver jubilee supplement No.3, Volume I). Uttar Pradesh Zoological Society Muzaffarnagar, India

Notes: Silkworms (Bombyx mori) feed on mulberry (Morus spp.) leaves during their entire larval period and utilize the leaf proteins for the biosynthesis of silk. It is therefore clear that mulberry plays dominant role in cocoon production as a source of nutrition to the silkworm. Mulberry foliage is vulnerable to various pathogens and pests. The pests not only reduce the yield but also alter the biochemical components. Although the study undertaken on these aspects is meagre, the findings support the fact that if silkworms are fed with pest-infested leaves of mulberry cultivars, which are obviously nutritionally inferior, it leads to crop failure. Many biochemical components such as total proteins, total soluble sugars, total reducing sugars, starch, free amino acids, photosynthetic pigments and some micro- and macroelements analysed in the pest-infested leaves showed either increase or decrease compared to healthy leaves. The enzymes protease [proteinase], amylase and nitrate reductase showed a significant variation. The growth and development of silkworms were also found to be affected when they were fed with pest-infested mulberry leaves. This review focuses on 5 major pests, i.e. mealy bug (Maconellicoccus hirsutus), spiralling whitefly (Aleurodicus disperses), jassids (Empoasca flavescens [ Empoasca vitis]), thrips (Pseudodendrothrips mori) and leaf roller (Diphania pulverulentalis).