Susceptibility of rice to grain sterility due to rice stink bugs (Niphe elongata; Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) according to the infection stage

Abstract

To clarify the ripening stages likely to produce sterile grains due to damage by rice stink bugs Niphe elongata (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae), we individually released four rice stink bugs per four panicles for 10 days beginning at 0, 7, or 14 days after heading. Many stylet sheaths were present on the surfaces of grains that had been exposed to rice stink bugs beginning either 0 or 7 days after heading. These grains were both unfertilized and unfilled, which indicates sterility. This result suggests that it is the damage caused by rice stink bugs during the milk-ripe stage that causes rice grain sterility.