Abstract

Rice Hispa (Hispa armigera Ol.) is one of the major pests of Rice crop in the Hyderabad State causing an average loss of 10% in yield. Occurring on both the seasonal crops, the winter sown crop, known as Tabi, planted in December-January is more attacked than the monsoon crop known as Abi, sown during the months of June-July. In years when the south-west monsoon rains are late, Abi crop also is damaged to a very considerable extent. In Hyderabad State the pest is found in all the rice growing districts. It is locally called "Nalla Purugu" (Black Insect). The annual average infestation of Rice Hispa is 15,000 acres on an area of 14.5 lakhs of acres grown in the State.

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