Overview and Objectives

This reference guide will assist you to:

• describe and identify the damages to rice caused by stem borers;

• identify and describe the 5 most destructive stem borer species of rice in Asia. Relate these species with geographic distribution.

• identify and describe the 4 stages in the life cycle of the major stem borers including their appearance, habitat, behavior, mode of feeding, and duration of each life cycle, and

• describe the most effective methods of controlling the major stem borers of rice.