In 2007, rice pests such as the rice leaf folder and planthoppers were widespread and severe. The rice leaf folder was particularly prevalent in the Yangtze River basin, Jianghuai region, Southwest China, and South China, with a significant increase in occurrence over the past decade. This posed a serious threat to rice production. In response to the Ministry of Agriculture's unified deployment, major rice-producing provinces implemented strict prevention and control measures, successfully curbing the spread of the pest. According to reports, a total of 580 million mu were treated, an increase of 150 million mu compared to the previous year. A total of 9.78 million tons of rice were saved, which was more than 4 million tons higher than the previous year.
Despite these achievements, several challenges remained. First, the infestation of pests continued to grow. The national area affected by rice leaf folders reached 390 million mu in 2007, a 47% increase (127 million mu) compared to 2006, with large-scale infestations covering 170 million mu. The outbreak characteristics included wide distribution, large areas, early occurrence, high peak density, and prolonged damage periods. The natural disaster rate was about 50%, reaching up to 90% in some areas. Preliminary estimates suggest that 850,000 tons of rice were lost due to this pest.
Second, many farmers lacked proper knowledge of control methods. The optimal time for controlling rice leaf folders is during the egg-hatching to young larval stages. However, due to insufficient understanding of field monitoring and pest management, many missed the critical window for intervention. Additionally, improper application techniques, inadequate water volume, and misuse of pesticides further reduced the effectiveness of control efforts.
Third, there was excessive reliance on chemical pesticides, leading to environmental harm. Due to limited support for integrated pest management techniques like biological and physical control, farmers often turned to chemical pesticides. This resulted in large quantities of pesticide use, high dosages, and weak regulatory oversight. Some regions even used banned or harmful chemicals like fipronil and pyrethroids, causing ecological damage and threatening biodiversity in paddy fields.
With factors such as climate, farming practices, and the environment, rice leaf folders re-emerged in 2008, with prevention and control tasks expected to cover around 400 million mu. To improve efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and ensure food safety, it is essential to focus on several key areas.
First, promoting comprehensive pest control technologies can enhance the ecological balance of rice fields. For example, in Juchao City, Anhui Province, the use of Bt bio-pesticides showed an average insecticidal effect of 85.71% and a leaf protection rate of 85.14%. The number of spiders in the demonstration area increased by 36%, improving natural pest control. In Fujian’s Jianyang Demonstration Zone, light traps significantly reduced the number of larvae, with only 24% of the non-lit area showing similar levels. This method not only controlled pests effectively but also reduced pesticide use and improved product quality.
Second, introducing new agents like Profenofos has proven effective. Studies show that 40% Profenofos EC can achieve over 90% control of young rice leaf folder larvae and more than 95% control of planthoppers. It also targets other pests, offering better results than traditional pesticides. In 2007, training sessions in pilot areas helped promote its use, and it quickly became a preferred choice in provinces like Hunan, Anhui, Shanghai, and Jiangxi. Farmers and technicians widely recognized its effectiveness and safety.
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