Evaluation of mulberry germplasms (hundred genotypes) for the incidence of two defoliator

The present study was undertaken in five years old mulberry germplasm maintained at Sericulture Department, University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK, The study was conducted in all three seasons of the year viz., pre monsoon (March-June), monsoon (July-October) and post – monsoon (November – February). Two defoliators namely Bihar hairy caterpillar, Spilarctia obliqua Walker and Wingless grasshopper, Neorthacris acuticeps nilgriensis Uvarov were selected for the study. The Score Index was followed to categorize the pest infested genotypes and defoliator (Bihar hairy caterpillar and Wingless grasshopper) pests were present throughout the study period in varying intensities in different seasons. Wingless grass hopper showed maximum damage in more number of genotypes compared to Bihar hairy caterpillar.