Thrips

A pest of young rice seedlings. Adult and nymphs suck the cell sap from leaf tissues. Damaged leaves roll inwards along the margins, feeding cause leaf drying and leads to a poor crop growth. 

The damage

• The damage is severe under water stress conditions. 
• Late planted crops are more prone for damage.

Resistant Rice varieties for thrips;

• Short-age traditional rice varieties such as;
  • Dahanala
  • Kaluheenati
  • Kalubalawee
• Varieties having a higher trichome density on the leaf surface, such varieties are found to be resistant for Thrips.

Thrips management

• Submerge infested crops intermittently for 1-2 days.
• Drag a wet cloth on the seedlings.
• If the control of pest if difficult, then apply recommended insecticides.
• If plants are grown in endemic areas, a recommended seed-dressing formulation could be used.
• Seasonal cultivation.