Damage symptoms and economic threshold level (ETL)
- Characteristic symptom: Leaves folded longitudinally into tubular shelters where caterpillars feed, leaving papery white, transparent scraped streaks.
- Canopy appearance: Severely attacked fields present a scorched, whitish appearance from a distance, with impaired panicle emergence.
- Economic Threshold Level (ETL): 1 to 2 damaged folded leaves per hill during vegetative stage, or 1 fresh damaged leaf per hill at panicle initiation stage.
- Predisposing factors: High nitrogen fertilizer over-application, close plant spacing, and continuous cloudy, humid weather.
Biological and cultural management
Avoid excessive nitrogenous fertilization; apply urea in split doses based on Leaf Colour Chart (LCC) monitoring. Conserve native beneficial predators like mirid bugs, damselflies, and spiders. Release the egg parasitoid Trichogramma chilonis at weekly intervals during early crop stages.
Chemical management with CIBRC registered inputs
When pest numbers breach ETL, spray registered insecticides such as chlorantraniliprole 18.5% SC, flubendiamide 39.35% SC, or cartap hydrochloride 50% SP using adequate water volume to penetrate dense lower leaf canopies. Always adhere strictly to approved label rates and pre-harvest intervals.
Official source
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ICAR - National Rice Research Institute (NRRI) ↗Related on KisanPe
Common questions
What is the characteristic damage sign of the rice leaf folder?
Longitudinally folded leaves stitched with silk threads showing papery white, transparent scraped streaks.
What is the economic threshold level (ETL) for rice leaf folder?
The ETL is 1 to 2 freshly damaged folded leaves per hill during vegetative growth, or 1 damaged leaf per hill at panicle emergence.
Which registered insecticides control rice leaf folder?
CIBRC-registered chemicals include chlorantraniliprole 18.5% SC, flubendiamide 39.35% SC, and cartap hydrochloride 50% SP.
General guidance, not personal advice. For your farm, ask your local Krishi Vigyan Kendra or agriculture officer.
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