FLACHERIE – A THREAT TO THE SOCIO ECONOMIC FABRIC OF INDIA: A REVIEW

Silk is a natural fiber preferred for clothing and its popularity just follows its counterpart cotton. Silk is preferred due to its luster and better handling characteristics. Silk is obtained from the saliva obtained from the salivary glands of the silkworms. Cultivation of silkworms is a source of employment to large strata of society. So, optimal growth and quality of silkworms is an aspect of great concern for the farmers. Research is focused to improve the quality of silk cocoons, which is mainly dependent on the mulberry leaves on which the larvae feed. Bombyx mori – L silkworms of the Mulberry type are especially prone to infection due to the attack of different pathogens. Major disease affecting silkworms is Bacterial flacherie. Staphylococcus species are mainly responsible for the damage. Measures of controlling this damage are of great necessity in order to get a quality output. This is achieved by using herbal extracts prepared from Acalypha indica, Leucas aspera and Ocimum sanctum for the containment of these microbes.