Water Management as a Cultural Control Tactic for the Rice Water Weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in Southwest Louisiana

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted in 1991 and repeated in 1992 to compare the use of carbofuran and field drainage as tactics for control of rice water weevil, Lissorhoptrus oryzophilus Kuschel, and to examine the effect on yield of rice (Oryza sativa L.) caused by 1- to 3-d delay in reflooding after drainage. Results showed that, although timely draining of fields significantly reduced immature weevil populations, the tactic was not always reliable nor economical. Reinfestation by rice water weevil populations after drained fields are reflooded can nullify the benefits derived from drainage. Grain yields were not affected by delayed reflooding of fields.