How to Identify and Manage Common Mulberry Pests

by Elizabeth / Tuesday, 27 July 2021 / Published in Sericulture

Mulberry trees, essential for silk production, are susceptible to a wide array of pests. These pests can significantly impact the health of the trees, reducing leaf quality and overall yield. Understanding these pests and implementing effective control measures is vital for successful sericulture.

1. Classification of Mulberry Pests

Mulberry pests are diverse, encompassing over 200 species from Insecta, Arachnid, and Gastropod classes. They are categorized based on the part of the mulberry tree they primarily damage.

Category	Pests Examples	Damage Type
Bud Pests	Mulberry gall midge, mulberry weevil, mulberry bark beetle, Mongolian weevil, black velvet beetle	Damage buds, hindering new growth
Leaf Pests	Morangus sylvaticus, yellow leafworm, dark gill beetle, verdigris beetle, mulberry caterpillar, mulberry looper, spring looper, wild silkworm, mulberry moth, mulberry borer, mulberry white caterpillar, thorn moth, yellow leaf curler, Flower leaf roller moth, lamp moth, gray snail	Feed on leaves, reducing photosynthetic area
Sucking Leaf Pests	Mulberry thrips, mulberry psyllid, mulberry leafhopper, green leafhopper, mulberry whitefly, red spider	Suck sap from leaves, causing discoloration and wilting
Branch/Stem Pests	Mulberry borer, mulberry louse, mulberry white scale, mulberry longicorn, mulberry beetle, yellow star beetle	Bore into or feed on branches and stems, weakening the tree
Underground Pests	Cute tiger, mole cricket	Damage roots, affecting nutrient uptake

2. Specific Pest-Related Issues

Beyond direct damage, certain pests contribute to secondary issues:

Mulberry Scales: Induce plaster disease, which can weaken the tree.
Mulberry Whitefly: Induce coal disease, affecting the overall health and appearance of the tree.
Mulberry Leafhoppers: Act as vectors, spreading yellowing and atrophic mulberry wilt diseases.

3. Factors Influencing Pest Occurrence

Pest populations are significantly affected by environmental factors, particularly:

Weather: Temperature and humidity play a crucial role in the life cycle and activity of many pests.
Food Availability: Pest populations fluctuate based on the availability and quality of mulberry leaves.

These factors lead to variations in pest populations across different years, seasons, and geographical regions.

4. Integrated Pest Management Strategies

A combination of methods is essential for effective and sustainable pest control in mulberry cultivation.

4.1. Agricultural and Cultural Practices

Fertilizer and Water Management: Ensure optimal tree health, making them more resilient to pest attacks.
Pruning: Regularly prune affected branches and stems to limit pest spread, remove infested sections, and promote healthy growth.
Whole Plant Cutting: Employ whole plant cutting as a technique to control insect populations by removing infested branches during specific periods.
Natural Enemies: Encourage natural predators and parasites of mulberry pests to flourish in the ecosystem.

4.2. Chemical Control

When pest populations are high, chemical intervention may be necessary. However, it is essential to carefully consider the impact on silkworms.

Pesticide Type	Concentration	Residual Poisoning Days (approximate)	Notes
50% Pine pine EC	1,000-2,000 times liquid	15-17 days
40% Dimethoate EC	1,000-2,000 times liquid	3-5 days
80% Dichlorvos EC	1,000-2,000 times liquid	3-5 days
90% Dichlorvos Insect crystallization	1,000 times liquid	20 days	2,000 times liquid
50% Marathon EC	1,000 times liquid	7 days
20% Dicofol EC	5,000 times liquid	7 days

Application Timing: Spraying should ideally be done before and after spring germination or based on specific pest infestation levels.
Pesticide Selection: Prioritize pesticides that are effective against target pests while being relatively harmless to silkworms.
Residual Toxicity: Closely adhere to the prescribed pre-harvest intervals for each pesticide to prevent poisoning in silkworms.

4.3. Manual Removal and Trapping

Trapping: Use sticky traps, pheromone traps, or light traps to capture and remove pests.
Manual Collection: Collect and destroy pests (e.g., caterpillars, snails) by hand, especially for localized infestations.

5. Conclusion

Effective management of mulberry pests requires a multi-faceted approach combining preventative agricultural practices, targeted chemical applications, and physical removal methods. By understanding the life cycles and behaviors of these pests and by carefully managing interventions, sericulturists can maintain healthy mulberry trees and ensure a consistent supply of high-quality leaves for silk production.