An investigation into the biology and lifetable characteristics of white backed plant hopper, Sogatella furcifera (Horvath) in paddy field

The white backed plant hopper, Sogatella furcifera (Horvath), poses a significant threat to cultivation of Pusa basmati, leading to considerable economic losses. Research conducted at Satna (M.P.) has unveiled crucial insights into its biology. Findings revealed that the average fecundity was approximately 184 ± 16.58 eggs per female. The incubation period, observed in October, lasted for about 7.4 ± 1.04 days, while the nymphal stage extended for 14.82 ± 0.62 days. Male macropterous individuals exhibited a longevity of 10.2 ± 2.44 days, while brachypterous males survived for 6.9 ± 1.78 days. Female brachypterous individuals had a lifespan of approximately 14.25 ± 1.36 days. Various reproductive parameters were also assessed, including the net fecundity rate (30.26), intrinsic rate of increase (0.124), gross reproductive rate (106.4), generation time (26.32 days), doubling time (5.86 days), finite rate of increase (1.132), and net reproductive rate (62.66). Seasonal abundance studies conducted during the rainy season on paddy fields indicated a gradual increase in incidence, with a peak observed at 31.80 and 34.40 individuals per hill at 120 DAT during the second week of November. Subsequently, the pest population declined, disappearing entirely by the third week of November, coinciding with the onset of winter, as observed in both 2022 and 2023.