Asan City Urges Caution Against Rice Planthopper Damage Ahead of Rice Harvest

Suspected Influx from China in Late June... Emphasis on Timely Control and Monitoring

Rice planthoppers have been reported mainly in Seonjangmyeon and Injumyeon, Asan City, Chungnam, where rice harvesting is imminent, prompting the city to urge timely pest control.

Asan City in Chungnam has urged timely pest control measures after outbreaks of rice planthopper were detected mainly in Seonjang-myeon and Inju-myeon.

The city estimates that the affected areas, located near the coast, were first infested at the end of June when air currents likely carried the pests from southern and southeastern China to the west coast of Chungnam.

It is believed that after the initial influx, the density of rice planthoppers rapidly increased through two to three generations due to the recent prolonged abnormal high temperatures.

Rice planthoppers typically inhabit rice stems within 10 cm above the water surface in groups, sucking the stems and causing the entire stalk and grain to wither. In severe cases, rice plants may collapse locally as if hit by a bomb, leading to reduced yields and lower rice quality.

The city has emphasized the importance of frequent monitoring and timely pest control. In particular, in areas where damage has been observed, it is advised that pesticides be applied thoroughly to reach the lower parts of the rice stems.

An official from the Asan Agricultural Technology Center stated, "In years like this, when abnormal high temperatures persist even during the grain filling stage in September, the density of planthoppers increases. Therefore, for fields with high infestation levels, additional pest control should be considered even after the initial treatment."