Rice billbug and its impact in furrow-irrigated rice production systems

Furrow-irrigated rice hectares have increased annually for the last five years in the predominant long-grain rice producing states. Elimination of the flood from large sections of the rice fields in a furrow-irrigated system alters management strategies and pest complexes compared to the traditional flooded system. Large portions of these production fields remaining nonaquatic, increasing the susceptibility to previously uncommon pests of flooded rice. Considered a minor pest in traditional flooded systems, rice billbug (Sphenophorus pertinax, Chittenden) could become the most detrimental insect of furrow-irrigated rice. Rice billbug feed on the roots and tillers of the rice plants, causing dead tillers and rice panicles to abort, resulting in indirect yield loss.

As the system gains popularity and as hectares increases, questions on management strategies for control of rice billbug has become an issue for producers. Management plans for rice billbug have become a priority in the Mid-Southern rice producing states.

Research conducted in Arkansas from 2018-2022 has provided foundational observations and data to better understand the rice billbug, and to expand research to other rice growing states. Findings from these studies should provide researcher a better understanding of the rice billbug, and how to tailor research accordingly.