Rice Stink Bugs in Mississippi Rice

As more and more of the rice crop starts to head, it is time to start thinking about rice stink bug. We have been sweeping some grass around the Delta for the last few weeks, and the one general comment I will make is that populations have been fairly low in most areas. We have seen fairly high numbers in a couple places, but it was small patches of heading grass in isolated locations.

As a reminder, we made a few changes to our management recommendations for rice stink bug in Mississippi. Dr. George Awuni evaluated stink bug damage in rice for his Ph.D. project and found that significant yield losses can occur through the soft dough stage. Additionally, significant yield losses were observed at densities lower than our previous threshold. All of those changes are not included in the 2014 Insect Control Guide, but we recommend treating when you have an average of 2-3 rice stink bugs per 10 sweeps from panicle emergence through soft dough.

In terms of what products to use, any of the pyrethroids have continued to provide good control in Mississippi. Other options include Malathion (organophosphate) and the recently labeled Tenchu (neonticotinoid).

Finally, rice stink bug prefers rice over other grasses and the first and last rice fields in an area will generally have the greatest pressure. As more rice begins to head in an area, the stink bugs will disperse over a larger area.  George’s research also showed that populations that persist for more than 2 days can cause significant damage in rice. Because of that, it is important to be timely with applications when you reach threshold.