Effect of botanical extracts against thrips (Pseudodendrothrips mori) infested mulberry on enzyme activity in silkworm, Bombyx mori L.

Plant extracts viz., Azadirachta indica, Ocimum sanctum, and Parthenium hysterophorus were sprayed on thrips infested V1 mulberry variety and fed to silkworm (Csr2 Bivoltine hybrid). sDH, LDH and GDH activities were estimated in haemolymph and fat bodies of the silkworm. the sDH, LDH activity gradually increased, this increase however was significant (P > 0.05). There was a gradual increase in SDH, LDH activity but decrease of GDH in both the tissues from day 4 to day 6 when fed with natural extracts sprayed mulberry fed to silkworm. Foliar spray of the extracts hold greater promise for control of thrips infested mulberry leaves and did not affect enzyme activity in silkworms.