Muga caterpillars, which produce a highly valuable silk, are dying from bacterial infections, in Assam.
Researchers at the University of Leicester claim that they have developed viruses that could protect the silkworms from disease and as a result could save the Muga silk industry.
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.
"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."
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Dr Chutia has tested his research on common white wax worms, as muga caterpillars cannot survive in the UK, the BBC reported.
The university claims if the research works on Muga caterpillars, thousands of farmers in India would benefit.