Rice Zigzag Leafhopper (Recilia dorsalis) | Insect Vector Threatening Rice Fields
Rice Zigzag Leafhopper (Recilia dorsalis)
A Tiny Vector with a Big Impact on Rice Fields
The Rice Zigzag Leafhopper, scientifically known as Recilia dorsalis (Motchulsky), is a small but significant pest in Southeast Asian rice fields. This insect not only feeds on rice plant sap, weakening crops, but also acts as a carrier of serious plant viruses—making it a silent threat that farmers must take seriously.
Basic Information
- Common Name: Rice Zigzag Leafhopper
- Scientific Name:Recilia dorsalis (Motchulsky)
- Family: Cicadellidae
- Order: Hemiptera
Morphology & Biology
Body Length: Approximately 2 mmColor & Features: White body with red eyes, yellow-marked pronotum, and distinct brown zigzag patterns on the forewings
Antennae: Setaceous (hair-like)
Wings:
- Forewings (Hemelytra): Hardened at the base, transparent at the tips
- Hindwings: Thin, membranous
Legs: Fore and mid legs for walking; hind legs for jumping
Although similar in behavior to the green leafhopper, Recilia dorsalis is smaller and easily identified by the zigzag markings on its wings.
Life Cycle
This species undergoes incomplete metamorphosis, consisting of:
Egg Stage
- Laid along the midrib of plant leaves
- 100–200 eggs per female
- Incubation period: 4–5 days
Nymph Stage
- Undergoes 4 molts
- Duration: 11–19 days
Adult Stage
- Average lifespan: 10–14 days
- Full life cycle: About 1 month
Host Plants
Recilia dorsalis feeds on plant sap from various families, including:
- Malvaceae: e.g., Roselle
- Solanaceae: e.g., Potato
- Poaceae: e.g., Rice
- Fabaceae: e.g., Soybean
Damage and Disease Transmission
Both nymphs and adults suck sap from rice leaves and sheaths, weakening the plants and stunting growth. More critically, this leafhopper is a vector for two major plant viruses:
- Yellow Orange Leaf Virus (YOLV)
- Gall Dwarf Virus (GDV)
These viruses cause serious deformities in rice plants and directly affect yield and quality.
Distribution
This pest is widely distributed across Asia—from India to Australia, including Japan, Thailand, and other countries in Southeast Asia.
Control and Management
1. Effective Use of Insecticides
Carbaryl (Sevin 85% WP): For early-stage outbreaksSynthetic Pyrethroids:
- Permethrin: 10 mL per 20 L water
- Lambda-cyhalothrin: 7 mL per 20 L water
- Cyfluthrin: 4 mL per 20 L water
- Deltamethrin: 10 mL per 20 L water
- Cypermethrin: 10 mL per 20 L water
Rotate insecticides regularly to prevent resistance.
2. Post-Harvest Pruning
Trimming or cutting plant residues after harvest helps eliminate hiding places and improves the effectiveness of chemical applications.
3. Light Traps
In cases of severe infestation, use light traps to attract and eliminate adult leafhoppers.
Conclusion
Although small, the Rice Zigzag Leafhopper can cause severe crop damage if not managed early. A deep understanding of its biology and life cycle, combined with targeted control measures, can help farmers minimize losses and maintain rice quality sustainably.
Rice Zigzag Leafhopper (Recilia dorsalis) — 3 High-Intent FAQs
Q: 1 How can I quickly tell Recilia dorsalis from green leafhoppers or planthoppers in the field?
A:- Wing pattern: look for the brown “zigzag” bands across the forewings (unique to R. dorsalis).
- Size & color: ~2 mm, whitish body, red eyes, a yellow-marked pronotum.
- Movement: true leafhopper jumpers (short hops, quick flights); planthoppers tend to glide and cling.
- Perching spot: often on leaf blades and sheaths above the waterline; planthoppers favor lower stems/crowns.
- Damage clues: scattered yellow/orange streaking and stunting; if galls/dwarfing or orange-leaf symptoms show up in clusters, suspect virus transmission (YOLV, GDV) by R. dorsalis.
- 10-second check: tiny + red eyes + zigzag wings = R. dorsalis.
Q: 2 What early warning signs and monitoring routine should I use before deciding to spray?
A:- Sweep-net scouting: 10 sweeps at 5–10 spots per field, weekly (twice weekly during tillering/early booting). Track nymph + adult counts and trend, not one-off spikes.
- Hotspots: field edges, levees, grassy patches—leafhoppers build from borders inward.
- Virus risk flags: new orange/yellow leaves, gall-like dwarfing, or quick spread along irrigation lines warrant faster action (rogue symptomatic clumps; prioritize border knock-downs).
- Rule of thumb (use local thresholds where available): intervene when you see persistent increases across visits (e.g., >10% tillers with nymphs or 15–20 leafhoppers/10 sweeps at vegetative–boot stages), or any rapid virus focus.
- After harvest: stubble pruning and residue removal reduce carry-over nymphs/eggs and make next-season sprays more effective.
Q: 3 What’s an effective, resistance-smart control program that protects yield and beneficials?
1) Start with IPM basics:
- Sanitation & habitat: control weeds (Poaceae, Malvaceae, Fabaceae hosts) in and around fields; remove volunteer rice.
- Synchronize planting and avoid prolonged staggered crops that “feed” vectors year-round.
- Rogue symptomatic clumps early to cut virus sources.
2) Biological & physical tools:
- Encourage spiders, mirid bugs, lady beetles (avoid broad, early blanket sprays).
- Use light traps at night during outbreaks to thin adults and for timing decisions.
- Consider entomopathogenic fungi (e.g., Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium spp.) in humid periods.
3) Targeted insecticides (only when needed):
- Early/low pressure: Carbaryl (Sevin 85% WP) can suppress emerging populations.
- Higher pressure: rotate synthetic pyrethroids (e.g., permethrin 10 mL/20 L, lambda-cyhalothrin 7 mL/20 L, cyfluthrin 4 mL/20 L, deltamethrin 10 mL/20 L, cypermethrin 10 mL/20 L).
- Rotation is critical: switch mode of action every application or two; avoid back-to-back sprays from the same class.
- Best timing: late afternoon/evening (peak activity), good coverage of upper canopy and borders.
Bottom line: identify fast (zigzag wings!), monitor trends, remove virus sources, and use a rotate-and-target approach so you protect yield and keep your chemistry effective for the long run.
