Rice Leaf Folder: Cnaphalocrocis medinalis

The rice leaf folder is an important rice insect pest which lowers the yield of the crop. The adult moths are about the length of your fingernail and have brownish zig-zag lines on the wings. The head of the larva is brown. Larvae fold the sides of the leaf together using saliva. The leaves make a tube and larvae scrape the surface of the leaf inside the tube, which results in whitish to grey lines on the leaves. Leaves then dry up and the crop looks burnt.

This insect likes hot and humid weather from July to October and likes Basmati varieties for feeding. Its attack starts in shady areas. The female moth lays many whitish eggs in groups on the leaves. Eggs hatch within 3-4 days, and larvae start feeding on the leaves and continue for a month. Too much nitrogen fertiliser makes the plant attractive to insects.