Vol. 9, Issue 10, Part C (2025)

Silkworm rearing relies heavily on the quality and safety of host plant leaves, yet increasing pesticide use in sericulture landscapes has raised concerns about residues that compromise larval health, cocoon yield, and silk quality. Conventional chemical pesticides, though effective against pests and diseases, persist as residues, disrupt silk gland function, and reduce cocoon market value. This review highlights the growing potential of botanical pesticides and green formulations, such as essential oils, plant extracts, nanoemulsions, biopolymer carriers, and microbial combinations, as safer alternatives. These approaches provide eco-friendly pest suppression while reducing residue persistence, minimizing sublethal impacts on silkworm physiology, and supporting sustainable production. Evidence from laboratory and field trials demonstrates their capacity to control pests like defoliators, sap-sucking insects, and fungal pathogens, though dose sensitivity, variability in composition, and sublethal effects on silk yield remain challenges. Recent advances in formulation technologies enhance efficacy and safety through controlled release, improved stability, and targeted delivery. Adoption barriers, including higher costs, limited availability, and regulatory gaps, require supportive policies, demonstration-based extension, and standardized safety testing that includes silk production endpoints. By synthesizing current knowledge, this review identifies both opportunities and research priorities for integrating botanical pesticides and green formulations into sericulture, aiming to balance pest management, silkworm health, and sustainable silk production.