Resistance of rice genotypes to lesser cornstalk borer Elasmopalpus lignosellus (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

The lesser cornstalk borer Elasmopalpus lignosellus (Zeiler 1848) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) is one of the most harmful pests of upland rice and others several economically important crops in Brazil. The lesser cornstalk borer is a pest that damages the newly emerged rice plant, reducing the "stand" and often requires replanting. The objective of this work was to identify source of resistance in rice genotypes to E. lignosellus . Thirty-day-old rice plants were infested with newly emerged larvae and evaluated to determine the intensity of damage: number of total stem, number of damaged stems, percentage of stems attacked, number of stems with dead heart symptom, percentage of stems with dead heart symptom and length of damage. Also the biological parameters of the lesser cornstalk borer: live larval number, larval weight and larval length were evaluated. The genotypes Canela de Ferro, Confiança, Esmeralda, Lajeado Ligeiro and Primavera are considered moderately resistant to E. lignosellus and can be used by rice producers as a component of Integrated Pest Management or used in rice breeding programs as a source of resistance to the lesser cornstalk borer.