Natural infection of the entomophthoran fungus, Pandora delphacis (Hori.) Humber, on the rice brown planthopper, Nilaparvata Lugens (Stal)

The entomophthoran fungus, Pandora delphacis (Hori.) Humber, was identified as a major pathogen of the rice brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens (Stal) in Tamilnadu (India). Mortality levels in the hopper population, irrespective of its developmental stages, ranged from 16 to 100% under natural conditions, during November 1990–February 1991. This coincided with the peak period of hopper emergence. Control measures were not required due to very high parasitism by the fungus, which apparently was sufficient to maintain the emerging hopper population below the economic injury level. Pandora delphacis infection on the rice brown planthopper seems to be the first report from India.