Researchers
at University of Leicester in Britain have developed viruses that could halt
the decline of 'Muga' caterpillar in India which produces one of the finest
silks in the world. Muga caterpillars,
which produce a highly valuable silk, are dying from bacterial infections, in
Assam.
About Muga Silk:
Muga
silk is produced only in the North East India as the silkworms form their
cocoons. The caterpillars have been in decline over the last few years because
they are eating infected leaves.
Researchers
claim that they have developed viruses that could protect the silkworms from
disease and as a result could save the Muga silk industry.
Dr
Mahananda Chutia, a visiting academic from Assam at the university who is
employed by the Indian government, said: "As well as its silk trade, Assam
is known for its tea and farmers often spray pesticides to protect the tea
leaves - these sprays are thought to have reached the silkworms and have
weakened them."In our model system at Leicester, we have found that the
consumption of phages (viruses) by caterpillars is a very effective method of
preventing bacterial diseases." Dr Chutia has tested his research on
common white wax worms, as muga caterpillars cannot survive in the UK, the BBC
reported.
He
returns to Assam at the end of the month to test the viruses by spraying them
on to the leaves the caterpillars eat. The university claims if the research
works on Muga caterpillars, thousands of farmers in India would benefit.