Brown plant hopper (BPH) is a serious pest in all rice-growing regions of India. These brown or yellowish-brown insects cause browning in paddy crops. It is a condition known as hopper burn. Found mainly at the base of paddy plants above the waterline.

BPH comes in two types:

• Brown Back Plant Hopper
• White Backed Plant Hopper.

Both are harmful at all growth stages but cause the most damage from the tillering stage through to flowering and grain formation. Crop loss from brown plant hopper ranges from 10to upto 90%, and without timely brown plant hopper control, total crop loss is possible within a very short period. BPH also acts as a vector for rice grassy stunt and rice ragged stunt diseases.

Symptoms of Brown Plant Hopper in Paddy

• Plants dry out and leaves show a scorched or burned appearance
• Mature plants may show circular patches of dryness.
• The infestation occurs in patches and is called “Hopper Burn”
• Sooty mould at the base of plants due to honeydew secretion confirms BPH presence.

Preventive Measures

• Plant crops at a minimum distance of 30 cm and maintain rogue spacing at every 2.5 - 3 metre intervals to limit pest spread.
• Keep main fields and bunds free from weeds, which harbour BPH populations.
• Avoid continuous paddy cultivation in a year and use early-maturing varieties to reduce BPH damage
• Follow alternate wetting and drying (AWD) irrigation.
• Use light traps at night and yellow pan traps during the day.
• Use neem oil along with insecticides.
• Avoid excessive use of nitrogenous fertilisers.
• Do not apply fertilisers after panicle emergence as this increases pest infestation.
• Do not use Chlorpyriphos, Phorate, Profenophos, or synthetic pyrethroids like Cypermethrin, Deltamethrin, Bifenthrin, Lambda-cyhalothrin, or Beta-cyfluthrin, as these increase BPH infestation.
• Use resistant varieties and limit pesticide use in the initial crop stages.
• Remove weeds on bunds; planting sesame, marigold, cowpea, or lady's finger on bunds can reduce infestation.
• Use organic manures.
• Apply chemical controls only when there are more than 10-15 brown hoppers per plant at the tillering stage, or more than 20-55 per plant at panicle emergence.
• Ensure that the sprays reach the base of the impacted paddy crop.

Effective Insecticides for Brown Plant Hopper Control

• Token Insecticide contains Dinotefuran 20% SG. It is systemic with quick knockdown action, excellent rainfastness, and fast absorption. Apply at the initial stage of pest incidence (around 10-15 hoppers per paddy hill). Dosage: 0.3-0.4 gm/litre of water or 60-80 gm/acre.
• Pexalon Insecticide contains Triflumezopyrim 10% SC. It acts immediately, stopping insects from feeding, and provides long-lasting control for up to 21 days. Light on the environment and effective against hoppers with a single well-timed application. Dosage: 94 ml/acre or 0.47 ml/litre. Best applied at 45-60 DAT.
• Katyayani BPH Super contains Pymetrozine 50% WG, suitable for brown plant hopper treatment. Mix in small quantities as needed and sprayed on the plants. Dosage: 120 gm mixed in 200 ml of water.
• Ulala Insecticide contains Flonicamid 50% WG. This foliar spray works through translaminar and systemic action, targeting harmful pests while keeping beneficial insects safe. Dosage: 60–80 gm/acre.

Some Effective Chemicals for Brown Plant Hopper Control

Technical name	Product name
Pymetrozine 50 % WDG	Chess Insecticide
Thiamethoxam 25 % WG	Actara Insecticide
Dinotefuran 20 % SG	Osheen Insecticide
Triflumezopyrim 10% SC	Pexalon Insecticide
Acephate 500 + Imidacloprid 18 % SP	Lancer Gold Insecticide
Imidacloprid	Confidor Insecticide
Flonicamid 50% WG	Ulala Insecticide
Acetamiprid 20% SP	Manik Insecticide
Buprofezin 20% +Acephate 50% WP	Odis Insecticide
Thiacloprid 21.7% SC	Alanto Insecticide
Fipronil 40% + Imidacloprid 40% WG	Police Insecticide
Monocrotophos 36% SL	Monostar Insecticide
Neem oil	Econeem Plus

Note: Dose of the chemical varies from product to product. Please refer the product description on our website or label of the product before using.

Conclusion

Use environmentally safe, selective insecticides that target harmful pests while protecting beneficial insects. Always combine chemical control with preventive measures for better pest management. Identify the right intervention interval and apply products accordingly. Excessive insecticide use does not improve results but will instead increase the insect incidence, which in turn increases the cost of cultivation

Note: The information provided here is for informational purposes only and shall not be construed as financial or legal advice. Viewers are advised to do their own research before making any decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is hopper burn in paddy?

Hopper burn is the scorched, dried appearance of paddy plants caused by heavy brown plant hopper infestation. It occurs in patches across the field and is confirmed by sooty mould at the plant base due to honeydew secretion.

Q2. Which insecticide is best for brown plant hopper control in paddy?

Pexalon (Triflumezopyrim 10% SC), Token (Dinotefuran 20% SG), Ulala (Flonicamid 50% WG), and Katyayani BPH Super (Pymetrozine 50% WG) are among the most effective insecticides for brown plant hopper treatment in paddy.

Q3. When should I spray insecticide for brown hopper in paddy?

Spray only when pest count exceeds 10-15 brown hoppers per plant at the tillering stage, or 20-55 per plant at panicle emergence. Ensure the spray reaches the base of the plant where BPH feeds.