Namhae-gun Warns of Increased Rice Pest Outbreaks During Monsoon Season... Urges Timely Pest Control

Occurrence Confirmed in Namhae-eup, Idong-myeon, Sangju-myeon, and Gohyeon-myeon

The Namhae-gun Agricultural Technology Center in Gyeongnam has urged frontline farmers to carry out timely pest control measures due to concerns about the occurrence of rice diseases and pests before and after the rainy season.

According to local surveillance results, various planthoppers such as white-backed planthopper and small brown planthopper have been detected in several areas including Namhae-eup, Sangju-myeon, and Idong-myeon. Additionally, occurrences of pests such as the rice leafroller and the rice leaf folder have been confirmed in Nam-myeon, Gohyeon-myeon, and Seolcheon-myeon, while leaf sheath blight (also known as sheath blight) has been identified in Samdong-myeon and Changseon-myeon.

Namhae-gun has urged timely pest control due to concerns over the outbreak of rice diseases and pests during the rainy season.

In mid-July, frequent rainfall, insufficient sunlight, and hot and humid weather appear to be accelerating the influx of migratory pests such as planthoppers (white-backed planthopper, small brown planthopper) and moths (rice leafroller, rice leaf folder, etc.), as well as the rapid proliferation of pests that mainly damage rice, including stink bugs and rice leaf folders.

Looking back at the damage patterns caused by rice planthoppers in 2019?2020, concentrated wilting (hopper burn) caused by planthoppers was discovered less than a week after the initial detection of planthopper outbreaks.

At that time, continuous low-pressure systems and hot, humid environmental conditions during the rainy season from June to July led to a large influx of migratory pests such as planthoppers and moths, resulting in significant damage to rice farmers.

Based on past experience, Namhae-gun emphasized that now is the optimal time for surveillance and pest control to prevent mass outbreaks of rice diseases and pests. They urged farmers to pay special attention to pest control regardless of whether aerial spraying is conducted, in preparation for the occurrence of major pests and diseases.

Jung Kwang-su, head of the Agricultural Technology Division, stated, “The occurrence and damage caused by major rice pests during this period can happen at any time, so farmers’ self-surveillance and timely pest control against major rice pests such as the rice leafroller, moths, and planthoppers are extremely important. Given that this year’s weather conditions remain challenging, we hope farmers will continue their self-surveillance and timely pest control efforts.”

He added, “Although the prolonged heavy rain has ended, we ask that farmers refrain from going out to manage water channels or inspect farm roads and drainage ditches during weather advisories related to rainfall.”

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