Leptocorisa Latreille (Alydidae) species abundance and distribution in paddy fields of Thrissur, Kerala, India

Abstract

To understand the severity of Leptocorisa species (Hemiptera, Heteroptera, Alydidae) in the paddy fields, the adults and nymphal stages were collected during the agriculture season (November 2019 to March 2020). Sampling was done twice in the season, first in the panicle emerging stage and the second before harvest. The initial and final average densities of total insects varied from 1-4 individual m^-2. Two species of Leptocorisa were identified of which L. oratoria (F) was found to be the major pest in the paddy fields of Thrissur, where as L. lepida Breddin was relatively less prevalent.