Rice Delphacid

Rice delphacid is a non-native planthopper pest of rice.  This insect has occurred in the rice growing area of Southeast Texas since ca. 2015. It has been a sporadic problem in second crop or ratoon rice in this area.  During 2025 rice delphacid infested first crop or main crop rice in Southeast Texas.  This insect can build to very high population levels quickly.  Damage symptomology includes yellowing to bronzing of leaves (hopper burn) to plant death.  Large quantities of honeydew can also be present. Recently, this insect pest has been found in Northeast Louisiana, Southwest Arkansas, and Southeast Arkansas.  It has also been “unofficially” found here at Stoneville in the last few days. We are confident that the insects we collected are rice delphacid, but are sending samples for verification.  The greatest amount of information on this pest is from Texas A&M. Here are the links to their information ento-pu-240-rice-delphacid Page 1, ento-pu-240-rice-delphacid Page 2, ento-pu-240-rice-delphacid Page 3. There is no established threshold for rice delphacid. However, if treatment is deemed necessary based on “building populations” and plant injury, Tenchu would be the primary choice.  Texas has a Section 18 Emergency Use Permit for Endigo ZCX, Mississippi does not.  Pyrethroids can provide a quick knockdown, but populations can rebound quickly and to higher levels (flaring). Fortunately most of the rice in Mississippi is at or near harvest, and is in little to no danger from this pest. However there is some late rice that could be at risk.