RICE BLACK BUGS, AS THE PEST OF RICE

1. INTRODUCTION

Rice is the staple food for more than 60 per cent of the global
population and the total area under rice cultivation in India is 44.6 million
hectares with a production of 90 million tonnes (Ghule et al., 2008). Rice is
ravaged by various pest problems starting from its seedling stage to maturity.
About 300 insect species have been reported to damage rice crop in India. At
least 20 species of insects have been found to be serious causing more than
50 per cent yield loss (Arora and Dhaliwal, 1996). Among the insect pests of
rice, The Rice Black bug is a serious pest of rice (Oryza sativa) (Ooi, 1981)

2. TAXONOMY

Order : Hemiptera
Suborder : Heteroptera
Family : Pentatomidae
Genus : Scotinophara Stal
Species : before = 41 species
now = 60 ‐ 71 spp.
2.1. COMMON NAMES:

Rice black bug, Malaysian black bug, Node‐feeding black bug,

Japanese black bug

2.2. MAJOR SPECIES

The two most common species of black bugs (Hemiptera:

Pentatomidae) attacking rice plants are the Malayan rice black bug
Scotinophara coarctata (Fabricius) and the Japanese rice black bug
Scotinophara lurida (Burmeister). They are also commonly known as rice

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pentatomid bugs. Scotinophara coarctata is an important pest of rice in
Cambodia, China (including Taiwan), India, Indonesia, Malaysia,
Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. Scotinophara lurida occurs in China
(including Taiwan), India, Japan, and Sri Lanka.

2.3. SPECIES DIFFERENCE

The Two Major sp were S.coarctata (Malayan black bug) and

S.lurida (Japenese black bug). S.coarctata is differentiated from S. lurida by
its spine on the anterior margin of pronotum pointed sidewords but in S.
lurida its pointed forwards.

2.4. SPECIES COMPLEX

There are about 11 spp. common in rice fields. They were S.coarctata,
S.lurida, S. parva, S. tarsalis, S. scotti, S. harvathi, S. inermiceps, S.
latiuscula, S. affinis, S. inermis and S. ochracea (Reissig et al., 1986).
However in India only five species were common i.e. S. coarctata Fabricus
(Pathak. M. D, et al., 1994), S. lurida Burmeister, S. bispinosa Fabricus, S.
scottii Hovarth, S. westwoodi Westwood (Ravi et al., 2008). According to
Magsino, 2009 there were 71 spp. In recent days, it was found in many parts
of rice growing areas in district like Thiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Vellore,
Thanjavur, Tirur and Tirunelveli in Tamil Nadu. Species prevalent in
Cauvery delta zone were identified as Scotinophara coarctata (F) and S.
bispinosa (F).

3. OCCURRENCE

The occurrence of Scotinophara coarctata on rice was first recorded

in Indonesia in 1903. In West Malaysia the pest was first recorded on rice in

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1918. Since 1983 its numbers have increased because of the staggered
planting of the rice crop. In the Philippines, the pest was first recorded in
September 1979 in southern Palawan; it later spread to central and northern
Palawan. The black bug problem in Palawan is partly related to double
cropping of irrigated rice since the introduction of high-yielding cultivars
and high N levels. Black bug infestation is most serious in poorly drained
ricefields around marshes. (Pathak, 1994)
Scotinophara lurida is a major pest of rice in China and Japan. Before
1940 the pest was recorded as anoccasional rice pest in Sri Lanka. Since then
it has become economically important, occurring periodically in large
numbers and causing extensive damage to rice crops in most parts of the
country.

4. LIFE CYCLE

The pest has an incomplete metamorphosis which means from egg, it

will become nymph and to adult stage. The female deposits its egg on the
lower part of the leaves or on the basal part of the plant near the water
surface. It lays about 200 eggs during its lifetime compared to 680 eggs as
was observed by other authors in other country. They are laid in mass of 40-
60 eggs. Oviposition takes place after 12-17 days from mating. Female
protect its eggs until they hatch by covering them with its body.
The eggs are greenish when newly laid and will turn pink when
mature. They will be hatched in 3-4 days. The RBB nymph molts 4-5 times
and said to have passes 5 nymphal instars which are completed in 25-30
days. Its nymph is colored light brown with a yellowish-green abdomen and
some black spots. It was observed that the nymph development is longer
during dry season. Like the adults, they remain at the bases of the rice plants

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during daytime and feed at night. The RBB adult is brownish black with few
distinctly yellowish spots on the thorax that bear spines below the anterior
angles. It is oval shaped and about 8-9 mm long. They are very well adapted
to variable conditions and may stay alive for seven months.
The adults may survive throughout the period and between seasons by
resting hidden and inactive in soil cracks, grassy areas or in any area where
relative humid atmosphere seems to provide a good shelter. The adult gives
off an offensive odor when disturbed. Adults are attracted to street lights and
full moon when they congregate and fly in search of a new area for invasion.
Large number of the pest is carried by strong winds and land on new area or
vegetation. Both nymph and adult feed during daytime and mainly at the
base of the rice stem but they may feed on panicles during evening, early
morning or an overcast day. During daytime, the adults are lethargic and
avoid sunlight. A behavioral characteristic of RBB is their ability to stay
underwater when disturbed though more than two hours submersion will
cause them death. (Wilma, 2007)

Table 1. Life cycle of the Black bug

S. Stage Min Max Reference

No (days) (days)
1 Eggs in egg mass 40 60 (Ravi et al., 2008)
2 Row in egg mass 3 5 (Saroja et al., 1993)
3 Hatching % 65 90 (Wilma, 2007)
4 Hatching 4 7
5 I Instar nymph 4 6
6 II instar nymph 6 8
7 III instar nymph 6 8
8 IV instar nymph 7 10 (Magsino, 2009)

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9 V instarnymph 8 10
10 Adult longevity 203 210 (Jalaludin et al.,
Unpublished)

5. HABITAT

Black bugs were Abundant in ill drained rice fields. Population is low
under rainfed conditions and increases with expanded irrigation (Anon.,
1983). Bugs were sluggish in day time, congregate at base of plants just
above the water level and active in night, move upwards and suck the sap
(Pathak et al., 1994). Crowding was high on full moon day.. It also have the
habit of aestivate in soil (Ravi et al., 2008)

5.1 FACTORS AFFECTING FLIGHT ACTIVITY

Full moon cycle affects the RBBs flight activity. This is significant to
pest surveillance and forecasting. Checking for black bugs should take place
2 days before until 3 days after the full moon.
Quality of available food is another important factor. The bug's flight
activity increases when deprived of food. It is highly probable that migration
and dispersal are less when the rice plants are readily available as food in the
field. (Hilario el al., 2000)

6. HOST RANGE.

Zea mays L., Colocasia esculenta Schott., Hibiscus esculentus L,

Vigna unguilanta L., Weeds like , Hymenachne pseudointerrupta, Panicum
amplexicaule Rudge Pl. Guian., Scirpus grossus L,. Scleria sumatrensis
Retz., Typha angustfolia , Echinochloa crus galli (Hilario el al., 2000)

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 Although some weeds and other cultivated crops have been listed as
alternate host plants of MBB, rice is its most important host. Some
commonly occurring alternate hosts of MBB are corn, gabi, grasses, sedges,
and broadleaves.

7. SYMPTOMS
The initial symptom includes, chlorotic lesions and reddish brown leaf
and yellowing of plants. Continuous feeding results in decreased tillering,
stunted plant growth, poor panicle emergence and wilting of plant. In severe
condition the plant dries in patches and the symptom is called "Bug Burn".
The bug burn symptom was usually seen in crop at panicle initiation and in
maturity phase. The bug burn symptom differs from Brown pant hopper
damage by the absence of honey dew deposits and sooty mold growth on the
base. The feeding also cause half-filled and empty grain and dead heart and
white ear damage as that of stem borer. Unlike that of stem borer damage the
dead heart and white ear damage due to black bug feeding cannot be pulled
at the bases. Damage to the panicle resulted in reduced grain yield.

Figure 2. Succeptible Stages of Infestation

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“Deadhearts” - A condition of the plant wherein the damaged tillers‟ center
leaves turn brown and die. This damage occurs when the infestation happens
during the tillering stage
“White ear” - Panicles with empty grains or underdeveloped panicles. This
damage occurs when the infestation happens during the booting stage.
“Bugburn”. A condition of the plant wherein the leaves turn reddish brown,
resulting to crop loss. This damage occurs when the infestation happens from
the seed bed, maximum tillering up to harvesting stage.

7.1 DIFFERENTIATION BETWEEN BLACK BUG AND OTHER

PEST DAMAGE

The deadheart/ white ear damage caused by black bug cannot be

pulled at the bases. Deadheart / white ear in all the plants in a hill. The
symptom “bugburn” occurs, but No honeydew deposits or sooty molds.
(www.knowledgebank.irri.org)

8. DAMAGE

A number of infestations and outbreaks of the RBB have been

recorded. Infestation occurred in Palawan in 1979 which was followed by
major outbreak in 1982 covering 4,500 hectares of rice fields. In 1982, at the
height of the RBB infestation, the Provincial Government formed the Task
Force Black Bug and spent US $ 20,000 for chemicals against RBB (Barrion
et al., 1982). About 1,246 hectares of rice fields in 4 municipalties in
Palawan were damaged in 1982 (Perez, 1989). A major outbreak in 1985
spread towards the central and northern Palawan covering 4,500 hectares of
rice lands (Barrion et al., 1982). In Mindanao, it attacked 2,070 hectares of

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rice lands affecting 2,430 farmers who suffered a production loss estimated
at 2.2 million in 1992 (Fernandez, 1993) and 10,000 hectares of ricelands in
1995 (Apao et al., 1998). In the Visayas, the RBB hit about 6,202 hectares of
rice fields in Leyte provinces in 2000 (Tempo, 2004).

Table 2. Comparision of Bugs/hill and Leaf damage, Unfilled grains and

yield

Leaf damage Unfilled

Bugs (No.) Yield (g)
(%) Grains (%)
0 0 10 120
2 3 15 115
4 8 17 110
6 15 28 96
8 26 36 90
10 30 43 82

Table 3. Comparision of Bugs/hill and Leaf damage, Unfilled grains and

yield

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8.1 DAMAGE IN CAUVERY DELTA REGION

Black bug problem in rice is new to Cauvery delta zone, Tamil Nadu.
However black bug is considered as endemic in northern part of Tamil Nadu
(Tirur). Outbreak of the pest was observed (bug burn) in the summer 2004
season. The variety most suffered was ADT 43. In a village Andalam
Pettai, Thiruvidaimaruthur Taluk, Thanjavur District a farmer has lost his
ADT 43 seed crop (6 acres) due to bug burn symptom. In subsequent years,
though the pest was prevalent there was no outbreak situation encountered.
Recently in summer 2006 black bug outbreak was observed in a village
Paruthikkottai near Thanjavaur. There were two rice varieties (ADT 43 and
ADT 36) suffered due to black bug incidence in Paruthikkottai village, of
them ADT 43 suffered bug burn symptom in 4 acre. (Ravi et al., 2008)

9. POPULATION DYNAMICS

At Rice Research Station, Tirur the blackbugs were found highly

phototropic and were attracted to light traps in large number and catches
were highest during the full moon week (Anon., 1985) The comparative
efficacy of 3 different light intensities viz., 200 watts incandescent, 125
watts mercury vapour (M. V.) lamp and 40 watts incandascent lamp in
attracting rice blackbug was studied. Among three light sources, attraction of
blackbug was significantly highest in 125 watts M. V. lamp and significantly
least in 40 watts lamp. Studies on the effect of light intensity on rice
blackbug catches were continued during 1992 at Rice Research Station,
Tirur. Instead of 200 watts incandascent lamp, 80 watts black light was
compared with 125 watts M.V. Lamp and 40 watts incandascent lamp.
Attraction was significantly highest in 80 watts, moderate in 125 watts and
least in 40 watts. (Saroja et al., 1993)

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Table 4. Effect of different intensity of light on rice black-bug occurrence at
Rice Research Station, Tirur. (Saroja, 1993)

S. No Light intensity Type of light Bugs

(No.)
1. 200 watts Incandascent 2036
2. 125 watts Mercury vapour(MV) 2665
3. 40 watts Incandescent 27

9.1 POPULATION DYNAMICS AT ADUTHURAI

The adult black rice bug movement of insects in the rice ecosystem at
Tamil Nadu Rice Research Institute, Aduthurai was monitored by the use of
light trap with 125 W mercury vapour lamp from April 2009 to March 2010.
The corresponding meteorological data were also collected and compiled.
Daily catches between 6pm to 6 am were reordered. Adult species of
Scotinophora were sorted out and identified adapting taxonomic characters
described by Barrion & Listinger (1994).

Japanese black rice bug, Scotinophora lurida appeared in the light trap
in large numbers during April „09, August ‟09 and March 2010. The total
catches in the months being 7077, 24,890 and 403 respectively with a peak
catch during Aug‟09. Ferar and Shepard (1987) studied light trap catches of
black bugs and recorded high inerdence in mid-August. Significant
correlations of light trap catches and abiotic factors were lacking in the data
collected during the experiment. Close observation of taxonomic
character‟s, species shift/dominance over crop stages, season, light trap
catches, correlation with abiotic factors and cropping year which warrents
close investigations.

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Table 5. Black rice bug Scotinophora lurida (Blumeister) catches in light
trap during

Month Catches(Nos.)
April 09 7077
May 0
June 15
July 0
August 24,890
September 93
October 46
November -
December -
January 10 330
February 3395
March 2380

10. ECONOMIC THRESHOLD LEVEL (ETL)

Both adults and nymphs feed at the base of the plant. (Heinrichs et al.,
1986) suggested that 6 bugs / hill was above the ET level. (Heinrichs et at.,
1987) also stated that 3 bugs/hill will cause economic injury. About 10
adults per hill can cause losses of up to 35%.

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11. MANAGEMENT

11.1. SYNCHRONOUS PLANTING OF VARIETIES

Plant rice varieties of the same maturity in a large contiguous area

(barangay or village level) within a month of the regular planting time. This
breaks the RBB's life cycle and evades damaging level of RBB population.

11.2. DIRECT-SEEDING OF RICE CROP.

Direct-seeded rice crop has less number of tillers per hill which is not
favored by RBB. Few tillers expose the RBB to sunlight and other mortality
factors that prevent further increase of RBB population.

11.3. PLANT DENSITY

The effect of plant density on insect pest abundance is varied and

complex. Dense plantings change crop growth, development, and
microclimate, which in turn has an effect on pests and their natural enemies.
Sparse planting encourages weeds and indirectly has an effect on insect
abundance. Low tiller numbers per unit area can result in a higher percentage
of tillers damaged by stem borers.

On the other hand, closely spaced plants shade each other, making rice
plants more vulnerable to brown planthopper due to increased humidity,
greater plant surface area for oviposition, and less crowded feeding
conditions. A field with a 10 x 10 cm hill spacing has greater chances of
suffering bugburn than a field with a 20 x 20 hill spacing. Dense planting
increases populations of black bugs.

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11.4. USE OF RESISTANT/TOLERANT VARIETY.

The recommended varieties are IR1314 and IR44526. However, these

stopgap varieties are susceptible to tungro disease. Thus, these cannot be
planted in areas where tungro is a problem. Another tolerant variety is C4-
137.

Table 6. Resistant and Succeptible varieties

Moderately Moderately Susceptible Highly

resistant susceptible susceptible

IR1314 and ADT 37, TKM 1, ADT 38, ASD ADT 36, TKM 9,
IR44526 TKM 2, TKM 10 16, ASD 17, CO CO 43, IR 50
CO 37 45, IR 20

(IRRI Rice (Saroja, 1993)

Knowledge bank)

11.5. MONITORING.

Inspect rice fields weekly or twice a week throughout the cropping season
for the presence of egg, nymph, and adult RBB. Monitor the base of 20
randomly selected rice plant hills. Employ control strategy when there are
five or more RBB nymphs or adults per hill.

11.6. LIGHT TRAPPING.

RBBs are strongly attracted to high intensity light. This phototactic

characteristic of the bugs suggests that light trap can be used in managing the
pest. Light trapping should be done at 2 days before until 3 days after the full
moon. Do this only where RBB population is not alarming. But during

13
outbreaks, light trap should be set up every night to obtain the most number
of bugs.

11.6.1. INSTALLATION OF THE LIGHT TRAP IN THE FIELD:

Install light traps in areas near the rice field where you can easily
collect the bugs.
Use 20-watt fluorescent tubes or mercury bulbs mounted 5 m from the
ground.
Turn on the light from 6PM to 6AM.
Collect the light trap catches before sunrise or early morning. After
sunrise, RBBs become active and move to other fields. Place the
collected RBBs in sacks until they die or bury the bugs in the soil.
(Hilario, 2000)

11.6.2. LIGHT TRAPS DURING OUT BREAKS

The use of high intensity light (2000-3000 watts) or "super light" is

recommended during RBB outbreaks. The light trap should be installed in
areas heavily infested with the bugs, particularly on cemented pavements
(e.g. basketball courts) or in places where rice grains are sun dried.
Collection of light trap catches should be done while the light is on.
Effective light trapping is from 8-12PM. Light trap should be mounted on 5-
10m high bamboo pole. Super light covers a 5km radius. (Hilario, 2000)

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 Figure 3. Light trap catch of Black bugs

11.7. CROP BACKGROUND

By covering the paddy water surface with Azolla (water fern) during
the early vegetative stage, the incidence of whorl maggot is reduced. Such
covering of paddy water is also suitable for natural enemies, especially
predators, in assisting their movement from hill to hill in search of prey.

11.8. WATER MANAGEMENT

Alternate flooding and draining for 5-7 days, can minimize insect
pests such as black bugs, planthoppers, gall midge, hispa, and most stem
borers. Draining stimulates calcium uptake, which hardens plant tissues and
makes them more resistant to pests. However, draining may also stimulate
weed growth. Frequency of action is important because alternative flooding
and draining can cause high losses of nitrogen.
Water management plays an important role in IPM [integrated pest
management] of rice pests. a study was conducted at PhilRice, Midsayap,
Bual Norte, and Midsayap North Cotabato [Philippines] to determine the
effect of water level on the rice black bug population, crop damage and yield
under screenhouse and field conditions. The results showed that water level

15
significantly affected the rice black bug population. At 30 days after
infestation (DAI) nymph population on plants at 2 cm water level was
significantly higher than those at 10 cm water level. Under field conditions,
no significant difference was obtained on the population of rice black bug
when water level was varied from 2-10 cm, however, RBB damage
(whitehead) was significantly lower at 10 cm than at 2 cm water level. Yield
was significantly higher at 10 cm (2.31 t/ha) than at 2 cm water level (1.7
t/ha) (Tadle et al, 2002)
Raising the water to a level higher than the egg masses drives the
female black bug off the mass and also results in reduced egg hatch.
Implications of using water level for black bug control were discussed.
(Parducho, 1988)

11.9. FERTILIZER MANAGEMENT

High rates of nitrogen fertilizer will provide more plant nutrition, resulting
in higher yield. However, high nitrogen fertilizer rates also:
Increase weed populations in the current and subsequent crops
Increase the incidence of fungal and bacterial diseases by increasing
tissue susceptibility and tiller density and
Encourage the multiplication of black bugs. Under high nitrogen fertilizer
conditions, insects generally grow larger, cause more damage, produce
more offspring, grow faster, and complete more generations per crop.

The beneficial effect of nitrogen on plant growth outweighs the pest-

controlling effects of entirely omitting its use. However, splitting the
application, using sensible amounts, and using slow release forms (such as
sulfur coated urea and urea super granules) helps to meet the dual goal of
higher yields and lower pest incidence.

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11.10. USE OF DUCKS

Releasing domestic ducks for pest control is a common component of

IPM in China and Vietnam. Ducks are generalist predators, feeding on stem
borers, leaffolders, black bugs grasshoppers, planthoppers and leafhoppers
etc.. Ducks have big appetites and on average one duck can consume more
than 100 insects per hour. Ducks are very good at decreasing pest
populations quickly, particularly in the early to mid-tillering stage, and also
provide partial control of weeds. In China, rearing of ducks for pests control
has been found to significantly increase income and reduce pesticide use.
(Zahirul, 2006)

11.11. NATURAL ENEMIES.

The most common beneficial organisms observed in the field are Telenomus
triptus and Metarhizium anisopliae. If these natural enemies cannot regulate
RBB population even when conservation has been made, rear(grow) these
organisms in the laboratory and release them repeatedly on the crop to keep
RBB population down. Release the organisms early in the cropping season,
before field populations of T. triptus appear. This is in order to establish the
natural enemy population before it grows too large to control. Or, release the
organisms during high RBB population.

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 Table 7. List of Natural enemies of Rice Black bugs

Natural Enemies Scientific name Host

A. Parasitoids
Wasp Telenomus triptus egg
T. cyrus egg
T. chloropus egg
Psix lacunatus egg
Trissolcus basalis egg
B. Predators
Ground beetle Agonium daimio egg, nymph, adult
Spider Lycosa pseudoannulata egg, nymph, adult
Oxyopes javanus egg, nymph, adult
Tetragnatha virescens egg, nymph, adult
Cricket Metioche vittaticollis egg
Red ant Solenopsis geminata egg, nymph, adult
Coccinellid beetle Micraspis crocea egg, nymph
Damsel bug Stenonabis tagalicus egg, nymph
C. Pathogens
Fungus Metarhizium anisopliae nymph, adult
Beauveria bassiana nymph, adult
Paecilomyces lilacinus nymph,adult

11.12. INSECTICIDES

This should be the last resort and should be used to a minimum so as

not to affect the natural enemy population in the field. Before spraying,
increase the water level from 8-12cm to disturb the RBB to move to the
leaves. Use of insecticides like Acephate 75 SP @ 625g/ha, Chlorpyriphos
20EC @1250ml/ha, Dichlorvos 76 WSC @625ml/ha, profenophos 50 EC or
Monocrotophos 36WSC (400ml/ac)

11.13. STUBBLE MANAGEMENT

Greatest number of light trap catches occur during harvest when the
RBBs start to move to other areas to look for food. So, plow and submerge
the stubbles immediately after harvest to bury these insects, particularly the

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nymphs, under the mud/ soil and to completely eradicate the bugs' food
source.

12. CONCLUSION

The RBB is not yet completely eradicated which is really impossible

when one cannot get rid of its primary host, the rice plants. Other reasons are
1) it can adapt very well to variable conditions, 2) it can stay alive for several
months and between seasons in a relative humid atmosphere, and 3) has a
number of alternate hosts around the field . Some of the alternate hosts are
Zea mays, Colocasia esculenta, Hymenache pseudointerrupta, Panicum
amplexicaule, Scirpus grossus, Scleria sumatrensis, Vigna unguilanta,
Typha angustfolia. Echinochloa crus-galli, Brachiaria mutica and Panicum
amplixicale.

The Rice Black Bugs (Scotinophara spp.) can be managed effectively

with the use of biological control agents Metarhizium anisopliae, the green
muscardine fungus and Telenomus triptus, the egg parasitoid. The use of
these biocontrol agents must be coupled with Integrated pest management
and full cooperation of concerned stakeholders for effective management.

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