D3004: Understanding how insecticidal seed treatments are used in rice pest management

Insecticidal seed treatments are used throughout the Louisiana rice industry as an effective means of management for the rice water weevil (Lissorhoptrus oryzophilus) and other damaging rice pests, such as Lepidopteran stemborers. Although the use of insecticidal seed treatments is justified, they are used as a preventative measure of pest management. Therefore, their application does not typically consider pest densities, economic thresholds, non-target effects, selection pressure, and cost-benefit ratios, which are vital components of successful integrated pest management (IPM) programs. Furthermore, reliance on a single product is high, with chlorantraniliprole being used on over 80 % of rice farms in the Mid-South. The widespread reliance on insecticidal seed treatments has raised concerns regarding insecticide resistance development. The application of seed treatments over a vast acreage can also be a costly endeavor for farmers. Recent research has focused on integrating insecticidal seed treatments with cultural control tactics. Additional information on the distribution of rice pests, the efficacy of reduced insecticide rates and the differential concentration of various chemistries in rice plants, can be used to improve the deployment of seed treatments. The aim of this infographic is to breakdown these developments in rice IPM and how they relate to the continued use of insecticidal seed treatments as a pest management strategy. This information will be presented in clear, easy to understand manner so that it may serve as a visual IPM extension tool for famers in the region.