Widespread distribution. South and Southeast Asia, Oceania. Rice and wild grasses. An important pest.
Planthoppers suck sap, reducing the number of tillers, panicles, and filled grains. Plants are stunted. Severe infestations, especially from tillering to flowering, cause 'hopperburn'; plants dry out and collapse.
Infestations start when winged forms arrive, and lay eggs which produce nymphs and wingless adults.
Cultural control: tolerant varieties; avoid over-lapping crops; crop rotation; remove 'volunteer' plants; split applications of nitrogen fertilizer; avoid ratoon crops; plough in stubble immediately after harvest.
Chemical control: only use if populations high (1-2 insects per tiller). Check current recommendations as often planthoppers become resistant to insecticides.