Long-winged Planthopper (Proutista moesta)

A Tiny Insect with a Big Impact on Rice Fields

Despite its tiny size of just 3 millimeters, the Long-winged Planthopper (Proutista moesta, Westwood) is a pest that rice growers should never overlook. Both its nymph and adult stages can efficiently feed on plant sap, often weakening rice plants to the point of stunted growth and significant yield loss.

Meet the Long-winged Planthopper

• Common Name: Long-winged Planthopper
• Scientific Name: Proutista moesta (Westwood)
• Family: Derbidae
• Order: Hemiptera

Key Characteristics

Wings:

• Forewings (hemelytra): Hardened at the base and transparent at the tips
• Hindwings: Delicate, clear, and membranous
• Mouthparts: Piercing-sucking type, used to extract sap from host plants
• Legs: The third pair of legs are adapted for jumping, allowing swift movement
• Adult Forms: Two wing types—long-winged and short-winged
• Behavior: Nocturnal and strongly attracted to light sources

Life Cycle

Proutista moesta undergoes incomplete metamorphosis, progressing from:

 Egg → Nymph → Adult

There is no pupal stage. Adult insects typically live for about 10–15 days.

Host Plants & Damage

• Primary Hosts: Grasses (Family: Poaceae), especially rice
• Nymph Diet: Feeds on fungi in moist environments
• Damage: Both nymphs and adults feed on the sap near the base of rice plants just above water level. This weakens the plants and reduces crop productivity.

Distribution

This species is commonly found in tropical regions, including Thailand. It is especially prevalent in rice paddies during the rainy season when humidity is high.

Integrated Pest Management Strategies

1. Biological Control Using Entomopathogenic Fungi

These fungi infect and kill planthoppers, especially under humid conditions:

• Beauveria bassiana (white fungus)
• Metarhizium spp. (green fungus)
• Hirsutella citriformis

2. Light Traps

Since adult planthoppers are attracted to light, using light traps at night is an effective method to lure and eliminate them.

3. Careful Use of Chemical Insecticides

Effective insecticide groups include:

Neonicotinoids, such as:

• Dinotefuran (Starkle)
• Acetamiprid (Molan)
• Thiamethoxam (Actara)
• Clothianidin (Dantosu)
• Imidacloprid (Confidor, Provado)
• Thiacloprid (Calypso)

Caution:

Rotate insecticides with different modes of action to avoid resistance. Apply chemicals only when absolutely necessary and in accordance with integrated pest management (IPM) principles.

Conclusion

Though small in size, the Long-winged Planthopper can cause major damage to rice ecosystems. Understanding its biology, behavior, and life cycle is key to choosing the most effective control strategies—whether biological, mechanical, or chemical. Adopting a sustainable approach helps protect crop yields while maintaining ecological balance in the long run.