Brown planthopper

Nilaparvata lugens from CSIRO

The brown planthopper (Nilaparvata lugens) is a species of planthopper in the family Delphacidae. It is a major pest of rice crops in many parts of Asia, causing significant damage and yield loss.

Description

The brown planthopper is a small, brown insect that measures about 3-4 mm in length. It has a slender body and long legs, which allow it to jump considerable distances. The wings are transparent with brown veins, and the insect can be either short-winged (brachypterous) or long-winged (macropterous).

Life Cycle

The life cycle of the brown planthopper includes the egg, nymph, and adult stages. Females lay eggs in the leaf sheaths of rice plants. The eggs hatch into nymphs, which go through five instar stages before becoming adults. The entire life cycle can be completed in about 25-30 days under optimal conditions.

Habitat and Distribution

The brown planthopper is primarily found in rice paddies and is distributed across many rice-growing regions in Asia, including China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Economic Impact

The brown planthopper is a significant pest in rice cultivation. It feeds on the phloem sap of rice plants, causing direct damage and transmitting plant viruses such as rice ragged stunt virus and rice grassy stunt virus. Infestations can lead to a condition known as "hopperburn," where the plants wilt and die, resulting in substantial yield losses.

Management and Control

Effective management of brown planthopper populations involves integrated pest management (IPM) strategies, including:

• Use of resistant rice varieties
• Biological control using natural enemies such as spiders, predatory beetles, and parasitoid wasps
• Cultural practices like proper water management and crop rotation
• Judicious use of chemical insecticides to avoid resistance development

Research and Development

Ongoing research aims to develop new methods for controlling brown planthopper populations, including genetic approaches and the development of new resistant rice varieties.

See also

• Rice pest management
• Integrated pest management
• Planthopper