Rice producers have faced myriad issues this year including low commodity prices, a lack of foreign markets, a surge in imports and erratic weather. Now, as the rice harvest comes to a close a new problem has erupted – rice delphacid.
The insect is a planthopper that has been detected in Arkansas, according to the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture. Although most of the state’s rice crop has already been harvested, officials are encouraging farmers to scout their fields to determine if the pest is present. The insect is a serious problem in central and southern America and the Caribbean.
Rice delphacid had been present in Arkansas in the 1950s, then seemed to vanish.
It reappeared in Texas in 2015, and this year was found in northern Louisiana and Arkansas. The insect has been confirmed in Miller and Lafayette counties in southwestern Arkansas. It has also been found as far north as Jefferson County and in at least one field north of Interstate 40 in Woodruff County. Populations have also been found in Washington County in Division of Agriculture research plots.
“In general, this year’s crop is far enough along that there isn’t too much concern for this year’s rice,” said Nick Bateman, extension rice entomologist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. “However, we still want to monitor its spread and take any opportunity this year to look at control options in case this pest decides to stay around for future seasons.”
Rice delphacid are small insects. Adult males have dark-colored wings, and females have tan-colored wings that blend in with rice straw. Nymphs are oval shaped, tan-colored and have racing stripes down their sides. Bateman said the nymphs are “unique and pretty hard to miss.”
Bateman said rice fields that are green, in late boot to early heading stages, are still a concern for rice delphacid.
“Rice delphacid feeding damage – what we call hopper burn – dries out the rice and causes burn symptoms and can kill the plant,” Bateman said. “Additionally, rice delphacid is a vector for Rice Hojo Blanca Virus, which presents as white bands on rice leaves and can cause panicle deformation and reduced tillers.”
Bateman said control options in Arkansas are limited.
“Right now our only option is Tenchu, but it does help. Some growers in Louisiana are adding Dimilin, but we have to be careful with that preharvest interval,” Bateman said. “These things can blow up overnight, so we’ll need to treat at low populations. Do not wait to see hopper burn areas in the field before deciding to look for this pest, because at that point we may not be able to slow it down.”
Battling a new bug has only added to the misery felt by rice farmers this season. Arkansas farmers planted an estimated 1.3 million rice acres this year, roughly half of the country’s output, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. That’s reportedly a 6% overall drop in production.
Rice imports have surged from two countries in particular, India and Thailand. Jackson County farmer Jennifer James recently noted that one-third of all the rice consumed in the U.S. last year came from a foreign source.