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Abstract

Rice is grown in diverse ecosystems in India as the major staple cereal food crop. Currently, India is ranked as the largest producer of rice in the world with a production of 150.2 million tonnes in 2025-26. The statistics show that the market share of insecticides is 22% of the total pesticide market of which the major share is on rice crop. So, it is pertinent to know the status of various insects as pests of rice. Among the pests, rice yellow stem borer, plant hoppers, leaf folders, rice gall midge and rice gundhi bug continue to be categorised as pests of national importance causing significant yield losses. There are other pests like rice hispa, thrips, case worms, cutworms, army worms, black bug, termites, root grubs, grass hoppers etc which are of regional significance. However, in recent times, an upsurge could be seen in other stem borers, whorl maggot, sheath or panicle mite and spread of white-backed plant hopper to non-traditional areas. During the last 3-4 years, incidence of Southern Rice Black Streaked Dwarf Virus (SRBSDV) vectored by WBPH and tungro virus by green leaf hopper have been recorded. In certain pockets of rice growing areas, the infestation of mealy bug, white fly and blood worms was observed. This paper discusses the effect of demography, various seasons, cultivation practices, cropping systems, weather conditions, policy decisions etc. that favour the pest infestations in paddy resulting in change of pest status.