Review of a New Pest of Rice, Tadpole Shrimp (Notostraca: Triopsidae), in the Midsouthern United States and a Winter Scouting Method of Rice Fields for Preplanting Detection

Abstract

Tadpole shrimp, Triops longicaudatus (LeConte), are a species of temporary, freshwater habitats. Tadpole shrimp are pests of rice production systems in California and have recently been found impacting Missouri rice fields and present in northeastern Arkansas rice fields. These impacts take the form of stand reduction by direct feeding on seedlings and uprooting seedlings during foraging. In addition, their foraging behavior causes water to become muddy, which reduces light penetration to submerged seedlings and consequently delays the development of the rice plant. Once rice is past the seedling stage, tadpole shrimp may be beneficial. This article provides information on the life cycle of tadpole shrimp, describes a new method for scouting for tadpole shrimp in rice fields, and provides scouting results and management implications.