Yield Loss Quantification Due to Stalk-Eyed Fly (Diopsidae) Infestations on Rice Crops (Oryza Sativa) in Fogera Plain

Stalk-Eyed Flies (Diopsidae) pose a significant threat to rice crops (Oryza sativa), causing yield loss and affecting crop development. This study aims to quantify yield loss due to Stalk-Eyed Fly infestations and identify susceptible growth stages of rice crops to this insect. Field experiments were conducted to assess the yield loss of rice due to stalk eyed fly at Fogera, in 2021 and 2022. With the treatments Both Thiamethoxam seed treatment and Chlorpyrifos systemic foliar insecticide were applied to combat the infestation, with untreated varieties serving as controls. And the pot experiment was conducted to assess susceptibility of rice growth stage to the stalk eye fly artistically analyses, were employed to evaluate treatment impacts. With the treatments of different crop stages, Seedling Stage, Tillering Stage, Stem Elongation Stage, Panicle Initiation Stage, Booting, Heading, Flowering. The effect of rice growth stage on stalk eyed fly infestation showed that there is statistically significant difference among the different growth stage, tillering stage appears to be the most susceptible to Stalk-Eyed Fly infestations in terms of the impact on tiller growth in rice crops. During this stage, the mean percentage change of tillers is the highest at 59.3%, indicating a substantial impact of infestations on tiller growth. This suggests that rice crops are particularly vulnerable to stalked fly infestations during the tillering stage, highlighting the importance of effective pest management strategies during this critical growth phase to mitigate potential yield losses. In the field experiment, significant variations in yield loss were observed across treatments. The presence of dead hearts, indicative of infestation, varied notably between treated and untreated rice. Rice varieties incorporating pesticide applications demonstrated lower dead heart percentages, suggesting there is rice yield loss if the stalk-eyed fly is not controlled. Notably, treatments influenced grain yield, with insect protection measures resulting in higher yields and lower yield loss compared to controls. In conclusion, stalk-eyed fly infestation impacts rice crop productivity, particularly during vulnerable growth stages. Pesticide applications show promise in reducing infestation severity and mitigating yield loss. We recommend implementing targeted treatment strategies, focusing on susceptible growth stages, to effectively manage infestations and optimize rice crop yields.