2009 Rice Water Weevil Management Demonstration

Flags that are used to mark treatments in demonstration fields.

Watch out for rice water weevils

If you water-seeded, or drill-seeded but did not treat your seed with Dermacor X-100, then it is time to think about rice water weevil management.

This newsletter will assist in your rice water weevil management decision.

I have heard it said that “the best thing you can put on your crop is your shadow.” This is particularly true with rice water weevil (RWW) management. It is important to learn to scout for RWW adults and larvae damaging roots. This year, the extension entomology program at the LSU AgCenter is focusing on rice water weevil management in a series of demonstration test locations. These fields compare the recommended treatments for RWW management in commercial field locations.

The purpose of this demonstration is to evaluate the use of some currently available insecticides to control rice water weevils in rice fields.

I encourage you to observe these fields as they progress through the season. We will take core samples for RWW larval density 4 weeks after application of permanent flood. These data will be presented at the summer field meetings. We will also take yield data at the end of the season. Field locations are flagged with colored flagging (Figure 1). The flags are color coordinated for each location and treatment. Please drive by and watch the progress through the season. If you have a question about the location, please contact the county agent in your parish.

Flagging Color Treatment Blue Dermacor X-100 Pink Trebon 3G* Green Karate Z Yellow Karate Z and Mustang Max EW Orange Mustang Max EW White untreated