A technique for rearing Elasmopalpus lignosellus (Zeller),larvae in laboratory, infesting plants in the field and evaluating treatments was described and tested in rice. In addition, the performance of insecticides as seed treatments to control larvae, under artificial and natural infestations, was evaluated on three planting dates. The experimental design was a Latin 6x6 square and the experimental unit consisted of seven 4 m long rows and 0.4 m spacing between rows. Treatments consisted of the following insecticides and doses: thiamethoxam (52.5, 70, and 105 g a.i./100 kg seeds), furathiocarb (320 g a.i./100kg seeds), carbofuran (525 g a.i./100kg seeds), and an untreated control. Artificial infestations were made, in two groups of three s...