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The rice stink bug is the second most important rice pest in Louisiana. They overwinter as adults in grass clumps, ground trash and woods. They emerge early in the spring and several generations can develop on grasses in and around rice fields.
As the rice begins heading, they move to the rice and begin feeding on the developing kernels. Adult rice stink bugs are shield-shaped, metallic brown insects about one-half inch long. Both nymphs and adults puncture the grain with their stylets and suck the juices. Grain they feed on in the early milk stage fail to develop normally resulting in empty glumes or shriveled grain. Grains fed on in the dough stage may be weakened structurally and break in the filling process or, if infected with a fungus, develop a black spot or pecky rice. Damage can result in reduced yield, reduced milling quality and lower grade.
Rice fields should be monitored weekly beginning immediately after pollination until kernels begin to harden. Random sweep net samples should be taken in each field, and the total number of rice stink bugs collected should be recorded. During the first two weeks of heading, fields where 30 or more stink bugs are taken per 100 sweeps should be treated. In the later stages of heading, fields should be treated when 100 or more stink bugs are taken per 100 sweeps until two weeks before harvest.
Chemicals recommended for rice stink bug control includes:
|
Insecticide |
Dosage Per Acre Active Ingredient |
Pre-Harvest Interval |
|
Penncap-M ProAxis Prolex Mustang Max Malathion 57% EC Sevin 80S Sevin 4F Methyl Parathion 4EC Karate Z Declare |
.75 - .5 A.I./Acre .0125 - .012 lb A.I./Acre .0125 - .02 lb A.I./Acre .0165 - .025 lb A.I./Acre .6 - .9 lb A.I./Acre 1 ¼ - 1 7/8 lb Product/Acre 1 – 1 ½ qts. Product/Acre ¾ lb. A.I./Acre .025 0 .04 lb A.I./Acre .0125 - .02 A.I./Acre |
15 days 21 days 21 days 14 days 7 days 14 days 14 days 15 days 21 days 21 days |
Remember, as always, follow label instructions.
Now for a horticulture hint.
Harvest sweet corn when the kernels are in the milk stage. Sweet corn that is ready to harvest should have a well-filled ear. Kernels should be bright and plump and their juice should be milky. Test a few kernels with the thumbnail. If the liquid inside the kernel is clear and watery, it is immature; if it has turned to dough, it is over mature; if the liquid is milky, it is at its best.
High sugar types of corn will have a more watery kernel when mature. A mature ear ready to harvest will feel full, and the silks will have dried and turned dark. Chill ears immediately after harvest, and consume or process as soon as possible.
For more information, come by or call our offices in Crowley 337-788-8821 or Jennings 337-824-1773. You can visit the LSU AgCenter website at www.lsuagcenter.com
