A Brief Overview of the Rice Pests and Their Natural Enemies in Some Rice-Growing Asian Countries

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to provide a brief summary of the rice pests and their natural enemies in some major rice-growing countries in Asia. Rice is a major crop in Asia that is infested by a broad array of pests. The results of this study showed that lepidopteran species were the main rice pests in these Asian countries, but hemipteran and homopteran species were also problematic. Biological control is known as a valuable tool in rice pest management without harmful environmental impacts. Our results showed that the majority of rice pest predators were from Hemiptera and Arachnidae and the main parasitoids were hymenopterans that attacked various life stages of their hosts. This study emphasizes the conservation of native natural enemies and the ecological needs of predators and parasitoids in each region. An integrated approach with the basis of biological control is advocated for the management of pests in rice paddies.