Pertanika Journal of Tropical Agricultural Science
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Pertanika · Universiti Putra Malaysia Press

Pertanika Journal of Tropical Agricultural Science

Official journal of Universiti Putra Malaysia for peer-reviewed research across tropical agriculture and allied agricultural sciences.

e-ISSN 2231-8542 ISSN 1511-3701
Research article

Oviposition Behavior of Scirpophaga incertulas, the Yellow Stemborer (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) in A Non-Choice Study

Yin Hui Cheok, Freddy Kuok San Yeo and Yee Ling Chong

KeywordsAntixenosis resistance, egg mass position, paddy plant, yellow stemborer
Article content

Abstract

Scirpophaga incertulas, or the yellow stemborer, is a dominant paddy pest in Asia and contributes to great yield loss in paddy cultivation. Breeding paddy varieties that are resistant to yellow stemborer is an eco-friendly alternative for managing this pest rather than using hazardous chemical insecticides. In this non-choice study, the oviposition behaviour of female yellow stemborers on three different local Sarawak paddy landraces was observed. The number and size of egg masses found on the three local paddy landraces, namely Bajong, Bubok, and Bario, were similar. In general, the yellow stemborers of this study preferred to oviposit on the leaves instead of stems. On leaves, the number of egg masses oviposited on the abaxial side and adaxial side of leaves was comparable. Based on this preliminary data, the three local paddy landraces may not be good candidates in a paddy breeding program that resists towards yellow stemborers.