Rice leaf folder

Caused by: Cnaphalocrocis Medinalis
Problem Category: Insect pest
Symptoms: Young larvae feed on the leaf tissues and as they become older, fold the leaf blade from both sides to form a tube. They feed by scrapping the green matter remaining inside the leaf fold. In severe infestation, the folded leaves entirely dry up and give a scorched appearance. Damage appears as white feeding areas in a field.
Comments: Adult moths are brownish orange colored moth with two dark wavy lines on wings. Eggs are laid on surface near leaf midrib. Green colored larvae folds the leaf and feed inside and pupate within leaf fold.
Management: Pulling a thorny bush along the crop rows to open leaf folds. Larvae fall down to get killed.
Control: 1. Release of egg parasotoid Trichogramma chilonis @ 1 lakh / ha starting from 15 Days after planting(DAP) for 5-6 times at 7-10 days intervals 2. Spraying 5% Neem seed kernel suspension to ward off egg laying adults. 3. Spraying Chilli-Garlic solution to kill young larvae.