Stemborer
Stemborer is considered as one of the most devastating insect pests of rice, it destroys rice at any stage from seedling to maturity stage. There are six species that attack rice which include the yellow stemborer, white stemborer, striped stemborer , gold-fringed stemborer , dark-headed striped stemborer , and the pink stemborer.
What are the symptoms?
Monitor the field for the following symptoms:
√ Stems and tillers have small holes where the larvae stays, appearance of fecal matters inside the damage stems.
√ During vegetative stage - deadhearts (dead tillers) that can be easily pulled from the base of the tillers
√ During reproductive stage - whiteheads in which emerging panicles are whitish and empty
Impact to the crop
If not controlled immediately, it has a great impact on the reduction of rice yield. Excessive feeding of stemborer can totally destroy the plant
How to control?
√ Use resistant varieties
√ Raise the level of irrigation water periodically to submerge the eggs deposited on the lower parts of the plant
√ Before transplanting, cut the leaf-top to reduce carry-over of eggs from the seedbed to the field
√ Proper timing and synchronous planting
√ Use of Biological agents
√ Apply nitrogen fertilizer in split following the recommended rate and time of application.
√ Use of registered and recommended insecticides
Source: http://www.knowledgebank.irri.org