The White Rice Leafhopper (Cofana spectra)

The White Rice Leafhopper (Cofana spectra)

Scientific Name:

    Cofana spectra

Order:

    Hemiptera

Family:

    Cicadellidae

Distribution;

    This insect is widely distributed in the subtropical and tropical regions of South Asia

Host:

    Rice, sorghum, maize, sugarcane and some grasses.

    The nymphs are paler in colour. The adults are yellowish and have a rounded, rather swollen head and four black spots on the vertex. The adult measures 5.7 to 7.4 mm in length.

Life-cycle:

    The activity of this pest is observed throughout the year. On emergence, the adults take about 1.8 to 6.8 days before mating. The female lays greenish eggs in masses after lacerating the leaf sheath with the help of ovipositor. Each egg mass contains about 5-17 eggs. A total of 17 egg masses are laid by a single female in her life span of 30-35 days. The incubation period is 6-7 days. Freshly emerged nymphs, first feed inside the leaf sheath and later they move on to the leaf blade. The pest takes about 18 days to complete five nymphal instars. The pest is active from July to March in southern parts of India. There are 12 generations in a year.

Damage:

    Both nymphs and adults cause damage to the crop by sucking cell sap from the leaves, which turn yellow. In case of heavy infestation, the plants fail to produce ears. Moderate damage reduces the tillering of the plants.

Losses:

    The combined losses due to white-backed plant hopper and green leaf hopper assessed at Faizabad (Uttar Pradesh) were to the tune of 20.9 per cent.

Control:

    Same as mentioned under Brown Plant Hopper, (BPB), Nilaparvata lugens.