Morphological Characteristics and Control Techniques of the Rice Root Leaf Beetle

The rice root leaf beetle, also known as the rice root golden flower beetle, belongs to the order Coleoptera, family Chrysomelidae. The adult is about 6 mm long; the dorsal surface of the body and the antennae are greenish brown with a metallic sheen, and the ventral surface bears dense, thick silvery hairs. The lower half of the femur of each leg is swollen, and the femur of the hind leg has a tooth-like spine near its apex. The elytra bear several parallel longitudinal grooves made up of punctures. Eggs are laid in masses and covered with a white, transparent gelatinous substance. The eggs are long oval, slightly flattened, about 0.8 mm long, initially milky white and later turning pale yellow. The larva is about 9 mm long, spindle-shaped, white and slightly curved, with 3 pairs of very small thoracic legs and a pair of brown hook-like tail hooks (respiratory hooks) at the end of the abdomen. The naked pupa is about 7 mm long, initially yellowish white and later turning brown, and is concealed inside a reddish-brown cocoon.

Integrated control:

(1) In winter, drain the field water so that the soil surface dries and cracks, which can kill the overwintering larvae.

(2) Thoroughly remove weeds such as pondweed from the field to eliminate the intermediate hosts.