Leaf folder management in rice: Cnaphalocrocis medinalis

Leaf folders are caterpillars of a moth. The caterpillars roll leaves around their bodies and feed inside the tube. The feeding creates a see-through or transparent area on the leaf.  They feed inside the folded leaf creating longitudinal white and transparent streaks on the blade. The caterpillars are yellow to green. Heavily infested fields appear scorched and have many folded leaves.

Rice leaf folder is a common pest and can be found in all rice growth stages. The most damaging stage is during tillering as this can reduce the yield of the crop. The caterpillars can survive between rice crops by feeding on weeds around the bunds. High nitrogen fertilizer creates lots of new growth which encourages the moth to grow and multiply. The life cycle of leaf folder is about 1.5 months (egg - 5 days, larvae - 25 days, pupa - 7 days and adult moth - 10 days).