How to Understand and Get Rid of the Yellow Stem Borer in Paddy Fields

How to Understand and Get Rid of the Yellow Stem Borer in Paddy Fields


The yellow stem borer, whose scientific name is Scirpophaga incertulas and its Telugu name is Kandam toluchu purugu, is a very bad bug that hurts paddy crops. This pest can do a lot of damage to rice plants, which means less rice is grown. Let's learn how to find this pest, deal with it, and get rid of it.

How to Spot the Yellow Stem Borer


As it grows, the yellow stem borer goes through four stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. To spot each stage, follow these steps:

Eggs: The eggs are flat, oval, and creamy white. They are grouped together near the tips of the leaves and have hairs that are yellowish brown all over them.

Larva: The larva have a dark brown head and are pale yellow. They hurt the rice plant by going through the stem.

Pupa: The pupa is inside the stem, with a white silken cocoon around it.

Adult:

These moths are bright yellowish brown and have a black spot on the front of their wings.

Little male moths are pale yellow and don't have the black spot.

Damage and the Lifecycle

The yellow stem borer only eats rice plants. Its life span is affected by its surroundings, especially the temperature. In cooler places, the larva may go through a stage of rest called diapause.

Eggs: Moth adults lay their eggs on the tips of leaves.

Larva: Once they hatch, the larva go into the stem at the base and do two kinds of damage:

Dead Heart: The central shoot of young plants dries out and dies.

White Ear: When a plant is fully grown, the grain-bearing part called the panicle dries out and turns white.

Adult: The larvae turn into pupae inside the stem, and then the adult moths come out to continue the cycle.

Signs of an infestation

  • Lots of brown eggs close to the leaf tips.
  • Young plants have dead hearts, and old plants have white ears.
  • Shoots and panicles that are damaged are easy to pull out by hand.
  • Conditions that are good for the pests These fields were planted later than nearby ones.

Leaves that were left in the field after the harvest.

How to Get Rid of the Yellow Stem Borer

Cultural Practices

  • Clip Leaf Tips: To get rid of eggs, clip the tips of seedlings before moving them.
  • Neem Solution: Spray a solution made from neem seed kernels to keep adult moths away and stop them from laying eggs.
  • Planting at the Right Time: To keep pests from gathering, plant all of your fields at the same time as fields next to them.
  • Different Types of Resistant Rice: Use types of resistant rice like IR36, IR32, IR66, and IR77.
  • Prepare the field: After harvest, plow and flood it to kill any remaining larvae.

Biological control:

  • Trichogramma Wasps: Start 28 days after transplanting and release these egg parasitoids three times a week.
  • Bacillus thuringiensis: This natural bacteria can stop the stem borer from laying eggs.
  • Don't use chemicals: Don't spray chemicals on eggs three days before or seven days after releasing them.

 

Ways to Use Traps

  • For every 5 hectares, put up one light trap to catch and kill adult moths.
  • Bird Perches: Get birds to sit on the edges of the field so they can eat the bugs.
  • Pheromone traps: To keep an eye on and get rid of the pest, set 10 to 12 traps per hectare.

Control of Chemicals

  • Chlorantraniliprole 18.5% SC:Mix 4 ml in 10 liters of water,Spray evenly on the field during the early infestation stage.

  • Fipronil 5% SC:Mix 2 ml in 1 liter of water,Apply during the early stages of pest attack.

  • Cartap Hydrochloride 4G:Use 10 kg per acre.Broadcast it in the field during standing water conditions.

  • Flubendiamide 39.35% SC:Mix 0.2 ml per liter of water,Spray thoroughly to cover the crop.

  • Apply chemicals in the evening for better results.

  • Use protective gear while spraying.

  • Follow the recommended dose and avoid overuse to prevent resistance.

  • Rotate chemicals to maintain effectiveness and protect beneficial insects.

  • For effective control of stem borer use Biopesticide “LARVEX”@250ml/acre.

Questions That Are Often Asked


What does the yellow stem borer do that is bad for plants?
It is a big pest that hurts paddy crops by leaving behind dead hearts and white ears, which lower the yield.

What are some signs of yellow stem borer damage?
In young plants, look for dry central shoots, also known as "dead hearts." In older plants, look for empty panicles, also known as "white ears."

When does the yellow stem borer eat rice?
It is busiest when the plant is tillering and starting to make panicles, especially when it is warm and humid.

How can I naturally get rid of yellow stem borers?
Use light traps, pheromone traps, and natural predators like Trichogramma wasps to catch them.

Which chemicals are the best for control?
Follow the directions on how much to use of insecticides like Chlorantraniliprole or Cartap Hydrochloride.

How can I keep bugs from getting in?
Keep the fields clean, switch out the crops you grow, and use resistant varieties of paddy.

Conclusion

The yellow stem borer (Scirpophaga incertulas) is a serious threat to paddy crops, causing significant damage through symptoms like dead hearts and white ears. Early identification and timely management are crucial to protect your rice yield. By combining cultural practices (like clipping leaf tips and using resistant varieties), biological control (such as releasing Trichogramma wasps), and chemical methods (like targeted insecticides), farmers can effectively manage this pest.

Remember, prevention is key. Planting fields at the same time as neighboring fields, maintaining clean fields, and using natural predators can significantly reduce the risk of infestation. Always follow recommended practices and avoid overusing chemicals to protect beneficial insects and prevent resistance.

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