Rice Caseworm: Nymphula depunctalis Stagnalis (Lepidoptera : Pyralidae)      

Kannada name : Kolave Hulu, Goodu maru Hulu

The larvae enclose themselves within a tubular leaf case by cutting the leaf blade, so the name "case worm".

Period of occurrence:  Tillering stage

Pest description

Egg: The female lays about 50 eggs singly or in clusters of 4 on the undersurface of the leaves or grasses. Incubation period:4-6days

Larva: The larva is light green with a light brownish orange head.

Pupa: It pupates inside the case which is attached to the base of the tiller and adult moth emerges in 5-6 days.

Adult: The adult is small white moth with pale brown wavy markings.

Damage symptoms:

• The larva feeds on the foliage by scrapping chlorophyll leaving horizontal rows of green material.
• The leaf tips are sharply cut off and the cut portions are turned into cylindrical tubes, is either attached to the plant or seen floating on the water surface

                             

                                                             Symptom of damage