DAMAGE BY THE MALAYAN BLACK BUG (HETEROPTERA, PENTATOMIDAE) IN RICE

Adult Malayan black bugs, Scotinophara coarctata (F.), are highly mobi le, and heavy populations may quickly invade rice fields. Attack of se edling plants reduced plant growth significantly after 1 or more days of feeding. Damage was characterized by desiccation of leaves and plan t death, S. coarctata attack of newly emerged panicles significantly r educed the number of filled grains after reaching feeding intensities of 1 or 2 bugs for 4 d and when 4 and 6 bugs fed for 4 or 6 d. The wei ght of grain per panicle was significantly reduced when 6 bugs fed for 4 or more days.