Brown Plant Hopper (Nilaparvata lugens

Identification

The adults are brown in colour with brown eyes and measures 3.5- 4.5mm in length. Their legs are light brown and the tarsal claws are black. The wings are hyaline with brown markings and dark veins. The nymphs are brownish- black in colour and have greyish- blue eyes.

Management

• Closer spacing of 15x10cm creates favourable microclimate in field for rapid development of hopper population. Hence, a spacing of 20x15cm should be followed.

• Alternate drying and wetting the field during peak infestation and draining out the standing water from the field 2-3 times checks the population of the hopper to a large extent.

• Alley 30cm wide after every 3 meters of rice planting provides proper aeration to the crop, which ultimately restricts the multiplication of the pest. Making of alleys also helps in insecticidal spraying as applicator can move freely in the field.

• Spray at ETL of 5-10 insects/ hill. 625g of carbaryl 50WP or 625ml of fenthion 1000EC or 2.0 litres of quinalphos 25EC or 1 litre of chlorpyriphos 20EC in 250 litres of water per ha. Repeat application if hopper population persists beyond a week after application. While spraying nozzle should be directed at the basal portion of the plants.