Ecological Engineering for bio-intensive management of rice pests

Abstract

Increasing floral diversity selectively will improve both longevity and parasitism rates of egg parasitoids and can be effectively harnessed to keep the hopper pests at lower population levels. The positive impact of bund flora on parasitization of hoppers, indicate a viable cultural strategy for their management. Due to injudicious use of insecticides, brown planthopper outbreaks are increasing globally. Such techniques offer a viable, ecofriendly option as an integral part of rice pest management.