When rice is most vulnerable
Tillering. Once panicle initiation has passed, new gall-midge attack cannot damage yield (the panicle is already committed).How gall midge shows in satellite data
- Reduced tillering across affected zones shows as lower-than-expected NDVI during tillering.
- Signature overlaps with N deficiency, poor soil, and zinc deficiency; separate with ground scouting for silver shoots.
- Once heading passes and non-panicle tillers are visible, the yield loss is already locked in.
Field symptoms
- Silver-white, tubular, hollow “silver shoot” replacing a normal leaf on affected tillers
- Affected tillers do not produce a panicle
- Reduced total tillering, uneven canopy height
- Damage is heaviest in shaded, humid, weedy plots and in staggered-planting areas
Reduce the damage by
- Grow resistant varieties carrying Gm genes - by far the most effective control.
- Synchronized planting across a whole area breaks the continuous breeding cycle.
- Destroy volunteer rice and grassy weeds on bunds and fallow between seasons.
- Reduce shading and improve drainage where possible.
- Selective insecticide (chlorantraniliprole) only if scouting justifies it during tillering. Carbofuran, long used for this, has been banned in Malaysia since 2023 - see Pesticide registration.
- Do not rely on late-season insecticide - once silver shoots appear, damage is already done.
Set an alert for early warning
Recommended settings for gall midge on rice:- NDVI threshold alert during tillering on susceptible varieties.
- New Imagery alert in the tillering window on fields with a history of gall midge.