Rice Fields Face Emergency from Pest Outbreak Originating in China! Early Control Critical for a Bountiful Harvest

Busan Agricultural Technology Center Reports Rice Pest Incidence More Severe Than Average
'Scirpophaga incertulas' from China Occurs Over 10 Times More Than Last Year

Appearance of fall armyworm larvae. There are concerns about the spread of infection originating from China in the rice paddies as well. The occurrence rate of fall armyworm larvae coming from China is more than 10 times higher than last year, triggering an emergency response for pest control.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yong-woo] The incidence of the rice leaf roller moth, which flew in from China, has surged more than tenfold compared to last year, raising alarms for this year's rice pest control efforts.

The Busan Agricultural Technology Center conducted a pest surveillance on the 21st and found that this year's pest occurrence is unusually severe compared to the average year, causing damage from an early stage, urging prompt pest control measures.

July and August are periods when both temperature and humidity are high, leading to concentrated outbreaks of rice pests. The Agricultural Technology Center analyzes pest occurrence situations and predicts control timings through annual summer patrol inspections.

The patrol inspection results are sent to farmers via mobile text messages to ensure timely pest control. Additionally, the results are communicated to agricultural administrative agencies and the Nonghyup (National Agricultural Cooperative Federation) to serve as important data for deciding joint pest control timings.

According to the Agricultural Technology Center, especially this year, with the early start of the rainy season, the incidence rate of the rice leaf roller moth flying in from China reached 89.3%, more than ten times higher than last year's 7.4%. The incidence rates of the rice planthopper and white-backed planthopper were also high at 37.7%, above the average year.

Moreover, due to the prolonged rainy season causing high humidity, the incidence rate of rice blast disease was also very high at 30.3%, and if early control is delayed, severe damage is expected.

Kim Yoon-sun, head of the Busan Agricultural Technology Center, said, "Although the month-long rainy season makes pest control difficult, pest control must be carried out even during brief breaks in the rain," adding, "Using pest-specific pesticides as much as possible is more effective."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.