Paddy Yellow Stem Borer: Identification, Dead Hearts & Integrated Management

How to identify and control Yellow Stem Borer in rice: dead hearts in vegetative stage and white ears at heading. Pheromone traps and bio-management.

Visible Symptoms

Central leaf whorl dries up and turns brown ("dead heart") during vegetative stage, easily pulled out; empty, erect white panicles ("white ear") during reproductive stage.

Primary Causes

Larvae of Scirpophaga incertulas (Yellow Stem Borer) boring into the central shoot.
Continuous staggered planting in adjacent fields providing uninterrupted host plants.
Excessive nitrogenous fertilization creating succulent tillers.

MENNENI Products

Neem Oil — 10,000 ppm Listing
Vermicompost
Ghana Jeevamrutham Manure

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does clipping seedling leaf tips reduce stem borer in paddy?

Adult female stem borer moths lay over 80% of their egg masses near the tips of tender nursery leaves. Clipping the top 2-3 inches prior to transplanting physically eliminates the egg masses.