Abstract

With the onset of problems due to continued insecticide usage such as resistance, resurgence and residue, the interest in the use of Bacillus thuringiensis was developed as it proved to be effective against a wide range of insect pests. The fear of the use of these agents towards Bombyx mori have been felt early as 1960s in Japan and it was suggested to use B. thuringiensis strains having low toxicity to the silkworm, but high toxicity to injurious insects (Aizawa and Fujiyoshi, 1968; Aizawa, 1982). The authors reported that B. thuringiensis should be employed and the minimum distance for safe use will have to be worked out.

Keywords: Mulberry, Bacillus thuringiensis