Incidence and Distribution of Rice Insect Pests and Their Natural Enemies in Rice Growing Area of South Gondar, Ethiopia

Since rice crop production relatively is recent activities in Ethiopia, the incidence and distribution of insect pests and their natural enemy in the study area has not been recognized. Field surveys were conducted in 2018 and 2019 rainy season to generate baseline information on the type of pests prevailing in rice crop. The survey was conducted in South Gondar, three districts. Insect pests were determined by visual search for damages done by insects throughout the field. The current survey found that more than 13 insect pest of namely, stalk eyed fly, stem borer, leaf hopper as leaf/stem feeding and rice bug and sting bugs are among grain sucking insect pest, and whorl maggot, cricket, grass hopper and termite also found in the study area. Furthermore, our study found that a new insect in the study area named as creatonatus sp. which feed on rice leaf. Additionally, the study found that more than 6 natural enemies of rice insect pests. Some of the natural enemies are damselfly, dragonfly and spider, beetle, lacewing and wasps found dominantly in the study area. This study is the first report to explore the presence of these above maintained insect pest and natural enemy in the rice growing area of south Gondar. It then requires adequate knowledge about all mentioned insects yield loss on rice production. The infestation level of natural enemy on rice insect should be checked and farmers should be awared regarding to importance of these natural enemy for rice insect pest control. Keywords: rice insects, natural enemy, incidence, south Gondar DOI: 10.7176/PPAR/11-9-03 Publication date:May 31st 202