Assistant Professor Texas A&M University Beaumont, Texas
The Mexican rice borer (Eoreuma loftini), sugarcane borer (Diatraea saccharalis), and rice stalk borer (Chilo plejadellus) are the primary stemborer pests affecting rice (Oriza sativa L.) in Texas and Louisiana, with the Mexican rice borer (MRB) emerging as a significant threat, causing up to 15% yield loss. Current management in these regions relies solely on seed treatments with Chlorantraniliprole, raising concerns about potential insecticide resistance. This study aims to explore the interactions between MRB and sugarcane borer (SCB) infestations and measure their percentage, evaluate yield loss (whiteheads), and assess the effects of rice variety (Cheniere) under different seeding rates and insecticide treatments (Chlorantraniliprole and Cyantraniliprole). Experiments will be conducted in randomized blocks with 10 factorial combinations of rice variety, seeding rate, and insecticide treatments, across two field sites in Beaumont, Texas from 2024 to 2026. The seeding rates will vary by five increments. Weekly assessments of whiteheads will be performed post-panicle differentiation, with yield loss calculated using a standard formula. We hypothesize that Chlorantraniliprole and Cyantraniliprole treatments will offer partial control of rice water weevil infestations. We also anticipate increased reproductive tiller formation due to borer injury and greater yield losses in unprotected plants compared to those treated with insecticides. This research aims to provide a comprehensive understanding between the complex of stemborers incidence, the percentage of MRB and SCB species, yield loss and inform more effective management strategies for rice producers.