2. Borers and defoliators of rice_Dr.UPR.pdf

Rice, the staple diet of over half of the
world's population, is grown on over
145 million ha in more than
110 countries, and occupies almost
one-fifth of the total world cropland
under cereals. Classified primarily as
a tropical and subtropical crop, rice is
cultivated as far north as 53° N
latitude on the border between the
USSR and China and as far south as
39° S latitude in Central Argentina,
and from sea level to altitudes of
3,000 m. The crop is established either
by direct sowing (broadcast or
drilled) or by transplanting. Rice
grows under diverse water regimes:
it is an upland crop where there is no
standing water and rains are the sole
source of moisture, or a lowland crop
under conditions in which water,
derived either from rain or irrigation
systems, is impounded in the fields.
Rice is cultivated on terraces, on
slopes, and in valleys or other lowlying sites. Floating rice may be
grown in several meters of standing
water.
Most of the world's rice production is from irrigated and rainfed
lowland ricefields where insect pests
are constraints. The warm and humid
environment in which rice is grown is
conducive to the proliferation of
insects. Heavily fertilized, hightillering MVs and the practice of
multicropping rice throughout the
year favor the buildup of pest populations. The intensity of the insect
problem in such an area can be
illustrated by the experience at IRRI.
In 117 experiments conducted over
15 yr, plots protected from insects
yielded almost twice as much as
unprotected plots.Average
rice yield loss due to various insect
pests was estimated to be 31.5% in
Asia (excluding mainland China) and
21 % in North and Central America in 1967. 1 Estimates for tropical South
and Southeast Asia are considerably
lower. In a 1989 survey of 50 rice entomologists from 11 countries,
average yield losses due to insect
pests were estimated at 18.5%. Yield
increases of this magnitude frequently result from effective insect
control in the different South and
Southeast Asian countries.
The rice plant is subject to attack
by more than 100 species of insects;
20 of them can cause economic
damage. Together they infest all parts
of the plant at all growth stages, and
a few transmit viral diseases. The
major insect pests that cause significant yield losses are leafhoppers and
planthoppers, which cause direct
damage as well as transmit viruses;
stem borers; and a group of defoliator
species.

1. Borer and defoliator
pests of rice
By
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD.
Assistant Professor (Entomology)
JSACAT
Affiliated to Tamil Nadu Agricultural University

2. Borers pests of rice

3. Paddy stem borer, Scirpophagaincertulas,
Pyraustidae, Lepidoptera
Symptoms of attack
Vegetative stage, dead hearts Reproductive stage, white ear
1
Distribution: Afghanistan, Nepal, north-eastern India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Burma, Vietnam, Thailand,
Malaysia, Singapore, Sumatra, Java, Borneo, Sumba, Sulawesi, the Philippines, Taiwan, China and Japan.
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

4. Eggsarecreamywhite.Eacheggmass
consistsof15-80eggsandcoveredwith
buffcolouredhairs.
Thehatchedlarvaemovedownward
Theymayhangdownbyasliverthreadandgettootherplants
withthehelpofthewind.
Theycanalsoswimoverthewaterandreachothertillers.
Theyentertheleafsheathandfeeduponthegreentissuesofthe
stemfor2-3days.
Generallyonlyonecaterpillarisseeninsideatiller.Itmaycome
outandattackfreshtiller.
Thefull-growncaterpillarmeasuresabout20mm,whiteor
yellowishwhiteincolourwithaconspicuousprothoracicshield.
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

5. Pupationtakesplaceinsidetherice
stem,straworstubble.Before
pupationitmakeaexitholeinthe
internodeandcoversitwithathin
webfortheadulttocomeoutlater.
The female moth is bright
yellowish with a black
spot at the centreof the
forewing and a tuft of
yellow hairs at the anal
region.
The male is small in
size and brownish.
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

6. Pink rice borer, Sesamiainferens,
Noctuidae, Lepidoptera
Dark headed borer, Chilopolychrysus,
Crambidae, Lepidoptera
Striped rice borer, Chilosuppressalis,
Crambidae, Lepidoptera
White rice borer, Scirpophagainnotata,
Pyraustidae, Lepidoptera
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

7. Pink rice borer, Sesamiainferens,
Noctuidae, Lepidoptera
Dark headed borer, Chilopolychrysus,
Crambidae, Lepidoptera
White rice borer, Scirpophagainnotata,
Pyraustidae, Lepidoptera
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)
Striped rice borer, Chilosuppressalis,
Crambidae, Lepidoptera

8. ETL:10% Dead heart symptoms 2% white ear symptoms
•Clip the seedling tips before transplanting to eliminate egg masses.
•Install light trap @ 1 / ha and pheromone trap @ 5/ac or 12/ha.
•Release egg parasitoid,Trichogrammajaponicum@ 2cc /ac3 times at weelyinterval.
•Spray Neem seed kernel extract 5% or Azadirachtin0.03% 400 ml/ac.
•Spray any one of the following insecticides
•Acephate75 % SP 267-400 g/ac, Carbofuran3% CG 10 kg/ac, Carbosulfan6% G 6.7
kg/ac, Carbosulfan25% EC 320-400 ml/ac, CartapHydrochloride50 % SP 400 g/ac,
Chlorantraniliprole18.5% SC 60 ml/ac, Chlorantraniliprole0.4% G 4 kg/ac,
Chlorpyriphos20% EC 500 ml/ac, Fipronil5% SC 400-600 g/ac, Fipronil80%WG 20-25
g/ac, Flubendiamide20% WG 50 g/ac, Flubendiamide39.35% M/M SC 20 g/ac,
Thiacloprid21.7% SC 200 g/ac, Thiamethoxam25% WG 40 g/ac
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

9. Paddy gall midge, Orseoliaoryzae, Cecidomyiidae,
Diptera
Maggot bores into the growing point of the tiller
and causes abnormal growth of the leaf sheath,
which becomes whitish tubular and ends bluntly
Further growth of tiller is arrested. This is called
onion shoot, silver shoot or anaikomban.
Thefeedingbythemaggotandthelarvalsecretion,
whichcontainsanactivesubstancecalledcecidogen,
isresponsibleforcellproliferationofthemeristematic
cellsandgallformation.
Symptoms and nature of damage
2
Distribution. It is a major insect pest of rice in Southern and Southeast Asia.
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

10. Elongate, cylindrical, pinkish
eggs singly or in clusters (2-6)
at the base of the leaves
Maggot is 1 mm long, enters the
growing bud, oval chamber is
formed around the site of feeding
The pupa projects half
way out at the time of
emergence .
The adult fly is yellowish to
orange brown and
mosquito like. The male is
ash grey in colour.
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

11. Management
ETL: 10% silver shoots
•ReleasePlatygasteroryzaeparasitisedgalls at 1/10
sq.mon 10 days after transplanting (DAT)
•Harvest the crop and plough immediately
•Remove the alternate hosts and adopt early planting
•Setup infra red light trap and monitor the adult flies
•Spray any one of the following insectcides
•Phosalone35 EC 600 ml/ac
•Fipronil5% SC 400-600 g/ac
•Thiamethoxam25% WG 40 g/ac
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

12. Defoliators

13. Swarming caterpillar, SpodopteraMauritia,
Noctuidae,Lepidoptera
Caterpillarsmarchinlargenumbersinthe
eveninghoursandfeedontheleavesof
paddyseedlingstillthemorningandhide
duringdaytime.
Undersevereinfestationcropgivesthe
appearanceofcattlegrazedplants.
Nature/ Symptom of attack
3
Distribution. India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Malaya to Australia and widespread in the Pacific Islands
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

14. Eggs are spherical and
creamy in colour
Laterbecomedarkbrownor
grayishgreenincolourwitha
crescent(semi-circular)shaped
blackspotonthesideofeach
segment
The caterpillars are
green with yellowish
white lateral and
dorsal stripes
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

15. They pupate inside the soil in earthen
cocoons. Pupa is dark brown and
measures 16-17 mm long.
A conspicuous triangular black
spot on the forewings and white
hind wings with brown margins.
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

16. Management:
•Floodthenurserytoexposethehidinglarvaetothesurfaceforbirdstopick
themup.
•Allowducksintothefieldtofeedonthelarvae.
•Digtrenchesaroundtheinfestedfieldandplaceashesinthetrenchesto
makeitdifficultforthelarvaetoescape.
•Insecticidesshouldbethelastresortforarmywormcontrol.
•Innursery,drainthewaterandspraychlorpyriphos20EC@80ml+20litof
waterfor8cents.
•Inmainfield,sparyChlorpyriphos20%EC@500ml/acduringlateeveningin
caseofsevereinfestation.
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

17. Rice case worm, Nymphuladepunctualis,
Pyraustidae, Lepidoptera
Leavesofplantsareeatenbythelarvae,whichremainwithin
smallcylindricalleafcasesandareseenhangingonthe
leaves.Leafcasesfoundfloatingonwater.
4
Distribution and Status:India, South East Asia, Australia
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

18. The larva is light green with a light
brownish-orange head. (18-22 days)
Eggs are pale, yellowish green, laid
in one or two long rows on under
surfaces. (4-6 days)
Pupates inside the case 5-6 days
Moth is immaculate white with light brown and
black spots on the wings
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

19. Management:
•ETL–2FDL/hill(FDL-FullyDamagedLeaf)
•Thepestissemiaquaticandhencedrainingisthemosteffective
methodforthemanagementofthepest.
•Dislodgethecasesbypassingaropeandthendrainwater;collect
thecasesanddestroy.
•Maintainfieldandbundsweedfree.Doearlyplantingandfollow
widerspacing.
•Encouragebiologicalcontrolagentslikehydrophilidanddytiscid
waterbeetleswhichfeedonlarvaeandspiders,dragonflies,and
birdswhichfeedonadults.
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

20. Rice skipper, Pelopidas mathias,Hesperidae,
Lepidoptera
Natureofdamage
Larvafeedingfrommargininwards
Symptomofdamage
Defoliation
5
Southeast Asia and Philippines
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

21. Adult: Brown colouredwings with white spots
on the wings.
Eggs:laidsinglyontheleafblades. Larva: pale green with constricted neck. Red ‘V’
mark on the head
Pupa:Light green
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

22. Management
•Parasitoids and predators usually control skippers in nature in the field.
•Eggs of rice skippers are parasitized by small wasps. The orb-web spiders
feed on the adults during flight.
•A nuclear polyhedrosisvirus also infects skipper larvae.
•Drain the water and spray chlorpyriphos20 EC 500 ml/ac.
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

23. Leaf folder/ roller, Cnaphalocrocismedinalis,
pyralidae,lepidoptera
6
Damage symptoms
•Rollupleafblades.
•Feedbyscrappingthechlorophyll.
•Leavesdryup
•Sporadic pest
Distribution: All the rice growing tracts of humid
tropical and temperate countries in Asia, Oceania,
Australia and Africa
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)
Silk strands attached to leaf margins

24. Egg:Flat, oval in shape and yellowish
white in colour, laid undersurfaceof the
leaves. 3-5 days
Adult:Orangebrownmothwithmanydarkwavy
linesinthecenteranddarkbandonthemargins
ofwings.7days.
Larva: Pale green,
transparent, actively
moving caterpillar.
22-28 days
Pupa: Pupates in the base of
the leaf fold. 7-10 days
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

25. Management:
ETL:10% leaf damage at vegetative phase and 5% of flag leaf damage at flowering
•ReleaseTrichogrammachilonis@2 cc (40,000/ac)thrice at 37, 44 and 51 days
•Avoid excessive nitrogenous fertilizers
•Keep the bunds clean
•Spray NSKE 5 % or Azadirachtin0.03% 400 ml/ac
or
•Spray any one of the following insectcides
•Phosalone35 EC 600 ml/ac, Chlorpyriphos20 EC 500 ml/ac, Acephate75 %
SP 267-400 ml/ac, Carbosulfan6% G 6.7 kg/ac, CartapHydrochloride50 % SP
400 g/ac, Chlorantraniliprole18.5% SC 60 g/ac, Chlorantraniliprole0.4% G 4
kg/ac, Fipronil80%WG 20-25 g/ac, Flubendiamide39.35% M/M SC 20 g/ac,
Flubendiamide20% WG 50-100 g/ac, Thiamethoxam25% WG 40 g/ac
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

26. Rice horned caterpillar, Melanitisismene,
Nymphalidae,Lepidoptera
Symptom of damage
Defoliation along margins & tips
7
Distribution: Africa, South Asia and South-east Asia extending to parts ofAustralia
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

27. Shiny eggs (4 days)
Large light green larva with horns in head and
elongated processes in the tip of abdomen (27 days)
Chyrsalis
suspending from
leaves (10 days)
Dark brown adults
with eye spots in
wings
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

28. Management
The eggs are parasitized by trichogrammatidwasps.
Chalcidwasp and two species of tachinid flies parasitize the
larvae and a vespidwasp preys on the larvae.
Spraying nuvan 100 EC @ 200 ml/ha (or) malathion 50 EC@
2.5 lit/ha.
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

29. Yellow hairy caterpillar, Psalispennatula,
Lymantriidae,Lepidoptera
Nature of damage : Larva feed on leaves
Symptoms of damage : Defoliation
8
Distribution: India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Australia
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

30. Yellow colouredpubescent eggs are
found in groups on leaf surface
Yellow brown with red stripes and tuft of hairs all
over body
Palewhitecocoon
Moth is stout and straw-
colouredwith longitudinal
dark band on fore wings.
Management:
Spray the crop with chlorpyriphos20 EC 500 ml/ac
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

31. Grass hoppers, Hieroglyphusbanian(Large grasshopper)
Oxyanitidula(Small grasshopper), Acrididae,Orthoptera
Ricegrasshoppersfeedthroughout
theyearonrice,maize,millet,
sugarcaneandothergrasses
Polyphagouspest
Damage:Causedbybothadultsand
nymphs.Bothnymphsandadults
feedtheleavesfrommargininwards.
9
H. banianis widespread throughout India and Pakistan
Oxyasp. -Asia, Africa,. Northern Africa, and Algeria
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

32. Female lay eggs in soil. The eggs are laid 5-8 cm deep in pods each containing 30-40 eggs
O. nitidula-green, smallerwith
brown band on lateral sides of
thorax
H. Banian-green, larger with
three transverse black lines
on pronotum.
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)
Management:
Cutthesoilwithaspadeorrakeandplasterthelandsespeciallyinricefieldandwaterchannels
todestroytheeggpods.

33. Spiny beetle/ Rice hispa,Dicladispaarmigera,
Chrysomelidae,Coleoptera
Natureofdamage
Leafminingbygrubsandscrappingby
adults
Symptomsofdamage
Narrowwhitelinesinleavesduetoleaf
mining.
10
Distribution: Bangladesh, India, and Laos.
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

34. Pupa -inside leaf mines (5 days)
Small shiny blue / black beetle
recognized by numerous short
spines on the body.
Eggs embedded in leaf tissues
near leaf tips (4-5 days)
Flat yellowish grubs with
brown heads (7 -12 days)
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

35. Management
Leaf tip containing mines should be destroyed.
Manual collection and killing of beetles –hand nets.
To prevent egg laying of the pests, the shoot tips can be cut.
Reduviidbug eats upon the grubs.
Spraying insecticides
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

36. Whorl maggot, Hydrelliasasakii,Ephydridae,
Diptera
Natureofdamage
Maggotfeedsonthetendertissueinsidethe
whorl
Symptomsofdamage
Dicolouredlongitudinalblotches,Shrivelingof
leaves
ETL
25%
Damaged
leaves
11
Distribution and status:Philippines and India
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

37. Grey to black fly
1.8-2.3 mm in size
Small, Elongate Cigar
shaped, Laid singly on
leaves (2 –6 days)
Light cream to yellow. (10 –12 days)
Pupates outside feeding stalk.
(5 –10 days)
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

38. Blue beetle, Alticiacyanea,Chrysomelidae,
Coleoptera
12
Harmlessand breeds on weeds
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

39. Root Feeders

40. Rice root weevil,Echinocnemusoryzae,
Curculionidae, Coleoptera
Damage symptoms
Grubs feed on the roots of rice plants
resulting in stunting and non formation of
tillers.
Presence of dead plants in large patches
is a typical symptom.
Bionomics:Adult weevil is shiny black
with greyish scales.
13
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

41. Rice root weevil, Hydronomidusmolitar,
Curculionidae,Coleoptera
Damage symptoms: Yellowing of newly
transplanted seedlings and presence of dead
plants in large patches.
Bionomics:Adult is shiny black weevils with
oblong body covered with greyish scales.
14
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

42. Rice root grub,Arthrodeissp., Tenebrionidae
Coleoptera
Damage symptoms: They feed on roots and cause yellowing and gradual wilting
of entire plants.
Bionomics:Black colouredshiny beetle.
Harvester termite, Anacanthotermesviarum
(Hodotermitidae: Isoptera)
15
16
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)