Pest Biology and Hopper Burn Symptoms
Brown Planthoppers thrive in dense, humid, high-nitrogen rice micro-climates. They reproduce rapidly, producing both long-winged (macropterous) migratory forms and short-winged (brachypterous) high-fecundity sedentary forms.
Extensive phloem feeding deprives the plant of nutrients and moisture, turning leaves yellow, then straw-colored, and causing localized circular lodging.
- Micro-Climate Preference: Infestations concentrate at the shaded stem bases 5 to 10 cm above the water line
- Hopper Burn: Circular dry patches that spread rapidly through the field if left unmanaged
- Secondary Damage: Excretes honeydew leading to sooty mold, and transmits rice ragged stunt and grassy stunt viruses
Economic Threshold Level (ETL) and Monitoring
Regular scouting during the tillering and panicle initiation stages is vital for detecting BPH before extensive hopper burn develops.
Part the rice canopy gently and inspect tiller bases across 20 randomly selected hills per field.
- ETL Threshold: 10 to 15 hoppers per hill during vegetative stage; 20 hoppers per hill during flowering and grain fill
- Alleyway Creation: Leave 30 cm alleyways ('skip rows') every 2 to 3 meters during transplanting to lower canopy humidity and allow sprayer access
- Avoid Synthetic Pyrethroids: Indiscriminate spraying of pyrethroids decimates predatory spiders and triggers severe BPH resurgence
Recommended Chemical and Water Management
Alternate wetting and drying (AWD) irrigation deprives BPH nymphs of the humid environment they need for survival.
When spraying, direct the spray mist toward the base of the rice stems rather than blanketing the upper foliage.
- Water Draining: Drain standing water from the field for 3 to 4 days upon reaching the ETL to disrupt pest development
- Selective Chemistries: CIBRC-approved insecticides such as pymetrozine, triflumezopyrim, dinotefuran, or buprofezin
- Water Volume: Apply 200 liters of water per acre using a hollow cone nozzle calibrated to reach lower stem sheaths
Official source
Check the latest rules, benefits and forms here. KisanPe is an independent platform and is not a government website.
Central Insecticides Board & Registration Committee ↗Related on KisanPe
Common questions
What is hopper burn in rice?
Hopper burn is the characteristic circular drying and lodging of rice plants caused by dense populations of brown planthoppers sucking sap from tiller bases.
Why does excessive urea application worsen BPH attacks?
Heavy nitrogen fertilizer creates lush, succulent vegetative growth and dense canopies that provide ideal micro-habitats and nutrition for BPH multiplication.
Which natural enemies control BPH in rice fields?
Wolf spiders (Lycosa pseudoannulata), mirid bugs (Cyrtorhinus lividipennis), and water striders are vital natural predators of BPH.
General guidance, not personal advice. For your farm, ask your local Krishi Vigyan Kendra or agriculture officer.
More General Agriculture & Tools guides
Ask Sakhi AI in your language, check live mandi prices or plan a loan with KisanPe tools.