Rice in Louisiana can be injured by a variety of invertebrate pests (insects and mites). The major invertebrate pests of rice in Louisiana are the rice water weevil and the rice stink bug. In addition, rice stem borers, rice seed midge, the rice leafminer, chinch bugs, bill bugs, sugarcane beetles, the South American rice miner, and armyworms can be important rice pests. Under heavy infestation levels, all of these pests can cause economic losses.
This website contains information about the identification, life cycle, injury to rice and current scouting and management practices for these pests.
Please click on the links located in the box below to obtain information on correct invertebrate scouting, identification, and management practices and additional rice Integrated Pest Management information.
Rice Insects Information
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Rice Pest Management Guide & Insecticide Links (coming soon)
Rice Extension Publications (coming soon) |
The scouting and management recommendations are based on the best available information and will be modified as additional research is conducted. If you suspect insect injury in your field(s), contact your county agent for verification and help with insect management and damage assessment.
The preferred approach to controlling insect pests is by developing and following an integrated pest management plan. Integrated pest management is the integration of a variety of pest control strategies in order to effectively maintain a pest insect population at densities below the economic threshold for treatment.
An effective integrated pest management plan relies on knowledge of the important pest species attacking the crop, frequent sampling for pests, proper identification of species, and utilization of a variety of control tactics. These tactics can include cultural practices, application of insecticides, biological control, and breeding for resistance. The use of a variety of control strategies can result in a more effective and less expensive control program.
For additional information on rice insects and their control please contact:
Natalie Hummel
Associate Professor
Rice Entomology
Mike Stout
Professor and L.D. Newsom Professor in IPM
Entomology
Johnny Saichuk
Professor
