RICE HISPA
The insect has attained the status of major pest in bordering areas of Assam and Bangladesh . Both adults and grubs do damage. The adults are small blue green beetle with spines all over the body. The grubs enter and mine the leaf between the epidermal layers creating irregular translucent patches. The adults scrap the upper surface of the leaf blade leaving only the lower epidermis. The damaged plant parts appear as white streaks parallel to the mid ribs.
Management
- Check up at the nursery stage, clip affected leaves to prevent carry over grub population.
- Remove weeds from the nearby fields, which serve as alternate host of the pest.