Question

Dead heart and whiteheads damage to rice is caused by

• A. Stem borer
• B. Leaf roller
• C. Army worm
• D. Gall midge

Hint:

Rice Pest Diagnostics:
Stem Borer $\rightarrow$ Dead hearts (vegetative) & White heads (panicle stage).
Gall Midge $\rightarrow$ Silver shoot Onion leaf.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Insect pest feeding damage manifests distinct morphological symptoms during vegetative and reproductive crop growth stages.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The Yellow Stem Borer (Scirpophaga incertulas) is a major monophagous insect pest of lowland paddy rice:
1. Vegetative Stage Damage: Larvae bore into the central tillers and sever vascular bundles, causing the central apical shoot to wither and die, a diagnostic symptom known as 'Dead Heart'.
2. Reproductive Stage Damage: Feeding at the base of panicles during earhead emergence results in empty, chaffy, bleached white panicles termed 'White Heads'.

Step 3: Final Answer:
Hence, dead heart and whiteheads damage in rice is caused by Stem borer, corresponding to option (A).