Academic Journal of Entomology 5 (1): 41-46, 2012

ISSN 1995-8994
IDOSI Publications, 2012

Spatial Distribution of Nymphula depunctalis Guene Larvae (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae),

an Early Vegetative Pest of Oryza sativa L.
1

Hiren Gogoi and 2Dipsikha Bora

Department of Zoology, Silapathar Science College, Silapathar-787059, Assam, India

Department of Life Sciences, Dibrugarh University, Dibrugarh-786004, Assam, India

Abstract: Rice caseworm, Nymphula depunctalis Guene is a serious pest of paddy that attacks young rice
plants in waterlogged paddy fields. Present study was designed to determine the spatial distribution of N.
depunctalis larvae in ten farmers rice fields of Dhemaji district, Assam, India and in 13 cultivars of Oryza sativa
L. in a controlled experimental field. Results of the variance to mean ratio (S2/m), index of dispersion (ID), P2 test,
Z test and Lloyds mean crowding indicated highly aggregated spatial distribution pattern of N. depunctalis
larvae. In farmers field condition, only two occasions in booting period showed uniform distribution pattern.
In controlled experimental field, degree of aggregation was comparatively low than the farmers field condition.
Only one occasion in stem elongation and five occasions in booting period showed uniform distribution
pattern.
Key words: Nymphula depunctalis Guene % Spatial Distribution % Index of Dispersion (ID) and Lloyds Mean
Crowding
INTRODUCTION

blade to construct larval case. Cut leaf piece trends to roll

due to lack of turgor pressure which is further secured by
the larvae with silk. A new case was constructed
immediately after each moult or when it was accidently
removed from the case.
Each female moth laid 300-400 eggs, 200-300 eggs and
50-70 eggs in day 2, day 3 and day 4 respectively. N.
depunctalis larvae need water for respiration and
movement from plant to plant and the moths prefer to lay
eggs on the underside of leaves that are floating on the
water surface [15]. Egg desiccates if laid on aerial portion
of the leaves [16].
Present study was designed to determine the spatial
distribution of N. depunctalis larvae in ten farmers rice
fields of Dhemaji district, Assam and in 13 cultivars of O.
sativa in a controlled experimental field.

Spatial distribution of a population that is the

position that individuals occupy in environment one
relative to the others at a given time is a central issue in
population dynamics studies. A population may show
three basic patterns of distribution: random, uniform
(regular) and aggregated (clustered). Pattern may change
in time, among developmental stages of a same species or
even occur superposed in a given population [1, 2].
Identification of the distribution pattern is essential to
develop sampling programs, especially those involving
species considered pests [3].
Rice caseworm, Nymphula depunctalis Guene
(=Parapoynx stagnalis Zeller) (Lepidoptera; Pyralidae) is
a serious pest of paddy that attacks young rice plants in
waterlogged paddy fields [4-9] and is reported from South
and South East Asia, China, Japan, Australia, South
America (Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Venezuela), Central
Africa (Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda and
Zaire), East Africa and several West African countries
and probably occurs throughout West Africa [10-14].
Larvae crawl and grip with the aid of 6 thoracic legs,
while the crochets are used to cling to its case.
Second instar larvae cut leaves near the tip of the leaf

Corresponding Author:

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study was conducted in Dhemaji district, Assam,
India during the year 2008, 2009 and 2010. Study site was
geographically situated between the 94 12' 18'' E and 95
41' 32'' E longitudes and 27 05' 27'' N and 27 57' 16'' N
latitudes. It is basically plain area lying at an altitude of
104 m above mean sea level.

Hiren Gogoi, Department of Zoology, Silapathar Science College,

Silapathar-787059, Assam, India.

41

Acad. J. Entomol., 5 (1): 41-46, 2012

To study the spatial distribution pattern of

N. depunctalis larvae, population density was estimated
both in farmers field condition and in controlled field
condition. Larvae were identified by their larval case;
presence of branched tracheal gills, shorter than
segments length; and thorax with dorsal gill group [17].
Study was conducted during tillering, stem elongation
and booting stage in the months July and August;
September and October respectively. For the studies in
farmers field condition, ten number of farmers paddy
fields were selected in the district and study was
conducted irrespective of hill density of rice plants and
water level of the field. Controlled experimental field was
situated in Bakal Gaon Pathar of the district.

were selected for each cultivar in the controlled

experimental field. Spatial distribution of N. depunctalis
larvae was determined by index of dispersion and Lloyd's
mean crowding.
Index of Dispersion: Dispersion of a population can be
classified through calculation of the variance to mean
ratio; namely: S2/m = 1 random, < 1 regular and > 1
aggregated. Departure from a random distribution can be
tested by calculating the index of dispersion (ID), where n
denotes the number of samples:
ID= (n-1) S2/m
ID is approximately distributed as P2 with n-1 degrees
of freedom. Values of ID which fall outside a confidence
interval bounded with n-1 degrees of freedom and
selected probability levels of 0.95 and 0.05, for instance,
would indicate a significant departure from a random
distribution. This index can be tested by Z value as
follows:
Z = (2ID1/2-(2<-1)1/2
< = n-1

Farmers Field Condition: In farmers fields, three types

of hill density viz. 16 hills per m2, 20 hills/m2 and
25 hills/m2 and water level of range 0-30 cm were
considered at random. Eight to nine cultivars of O. sativa
were recorded in each farmers field.
Controlled Field Condition: In controlled experimental
field, seedlings 25 DAS (days after sowing) were
transplanted at a hill density 20 hills per m2 with 4
seedlings per hill. Water level of 10-15 cm for tillering
stage, 5-10 cm for stem elongation stage and 0-5 cm for
booting stage was maintained during the experimental
period. Thirteen cultivars of O. sativa were transplanted
in the controlled experimental field in an area of 100m2 per
cultivar.

If 1.96 $ Z $-1.96, the spatial distribution would be

random but if Z <-1.96 or Z > 1.96, it would be uniform and
aggregated, respectively [19].
Lloyd's Mean Crowding X*: Mean crowding (x*) was
proposed by Lloyd to indicate the possible effect of
mutual interference or competition among individuals.
Theoretically mean crowding is the mean number of other
individuals per individual in the same quadrate:

Environmental Parameters: In both farmers field

condition and controlled field condition environmental
parameters, rainfall, relative humidity and air
temperature were same. Mean rainfall of 20.67-26.85
mm/day, 4.56-15.45 mm/day and 2.31-5.19 mm/day; relative
humidity of 89.55-90.84 %, 83.63-91.10 % and 81.58-85.32%
and air temperature of 27.59-28.66C, 27.46-29.29C
and 25.69-26.51 C were recorded during tillering, stem
elongation and booting period.

X* = m + (S2/m)-1
As an index, mean crowding is highly dependent
upon both the degree of clumping and population
density. To remove the effect of changes in density,
Lloyd introduced the index of patchiness, expressed as
the ratio of mean crowding to the mean. As with the
variance-to-mean ratio, the index of patchiness is
dependent upon quadrate size x* / m= 1 random, <1
regular and >1 aggregated [20].

Population Density in Farmers Field: Population density

of N. depunctalis larvae was estimated in ten number of
farmers paddy fields. For this, 45-55 quadrats [18] were
selected in each field depending on the number of rice
cultivars, considering five quadrats for each cultivar.

RESULT AND DISCUSSION

Population Density in Different Cultivars of O. sativa:

Density was also estimated in 13 cultivars of O. sativa
traditionally cultivated by the farmers of Dhemaji district,
Assam (India) in an experimental field. For this, 5 quadrats

Population density, considered as the mean number

of larvae per square meter (m), variance to mean ratio
(S2/m), chi square value (P2), index of dispersion (ID)
and Lloyd mean crowding are shown in Table 1-6.
42

Acad. J. Entomol., 5 (1): 41-46, 2012

Table 1: Mean population density of N. depunctalis larvae per square meter (m), variance to mean ratio (S2/m), chi square value (P 2), index of dispersion (ID), Z value and Lloyd mean crowding
(x*) in farmers rice fields during tillering period of O. sativa

Rice field

2008
------------------------------------------------------------2
m
S /m
P2
ID
Z
X*

Akajan Patiri
Arsi Lason
Balikata Miri
Fulbari Asomia
Galowa
Jalakia Suti
Kulajan
Mesu
Sila Gaon
Sissi Borgaon

45
55
45
45
50
55
55
55
45
45

29.42
18
21.76
61.24
42.35
14.45
24.87
27
16.58
15.69

101.35
91.93
182.03
116.99
161.74
90.22
89.44
162.22
42.73
50.12

238.71
299.55
245.00
145.00
86.80
191.27
114.53
216.36
277.44
129.07

4459.25 85.11
4964.11 89.30
8009.46 117.24
5147.67 92.14
7925.13 116.05
4871.94 88.37
4829.95 87.94
8759.70 122.02
1880.29 52.00
2205.49 57.09

129.77
108.93
202.79
177.23
203.09
103.67
113.31
188.22
58.31
64.81

2009
------------------------------------------------------------2
m
S /m
P2
ID
Z
X*
9.69 22.97
18.60 52.72
2.24
8.83
41.47 81.25
8.19 20.87
16.69 50.06
9.65 40.93
14.76 107.44
22.72 69.09
21.16 90.41

86.67
358.58
132.80
183.80
285.24
146.22
172.73
82.20
215.40
229.89

1010.81
2847.05
388.65
3575.09
1022.64
2703.25
2210.20
5801.55
3040.08
3978.15

35.64
65.12
18.55
75.23
35.38
63.18
56.14
97.37
68.65
79.87

31.66
70.32
10.07
121.72
28.06
65.75
49.58
121.20
90.81
110.57

2010
-------------------------------------------------------2
m
S /m
P2
ID
Z
X*
21.07 49.69
17.95 80.05
10.27 91.43
38.33 84.16
32.86 74.71
13.71 47.20
16.62 38.98
30.02 102.21
30.89 102.55
13.38 58.20

114.04
276.53
181.60
106.58
121.36
269.73
119.80
209.00
111.93
177.44

2186.15
4322.92
4023.00
3703.15
3660.86
2548.63
2105.10
5519.15
4512.19
2560.86

56.80
82.64
80.37
76.73
75.72
61.05
54.54
94.72
85.67
62.24

69.76
97.00
100.70
121.49
106.57
59.91
54.60
131.23
132.44
70.58

P value of P2 < 0.01 in all cases; n = number of quadrats

Table 2: Mean population density of N. depunctalis larvae per square meter (m), variance to mean ratio (S2/m), chi square value (P2), index of dispersion (ID), Z value and Lloyd mean crowding
(x*) in farmers rice fields during stem elongation period of O. sativa

Rice field

2008
------------------------------------------------------------m
S2/m
P2
ID
Z
X*

Akajan Patiri
Arsi Lason
Balikata Miri
Fulbari Asomia
Galowa
Jalakia Suti
Kulajan
Mesu
Sila Gaon
Sissi Borgaon

45
55
45
45
50
55
55
55
45
45

3.27
4.8
8
3.09
4.67
8.91
3.41
7.13
8.38
4.87

22.45
29.56
21.61
18.80
14.05
44.87
11.10
44.03
23.45
35.51

156.40
276.66
40.07
132.71
231.60
185.58
73.95
284.31
54.11
168.89

987.80
1596.00
951.00
827.37
688.61
2422.76
599.54
2377.64
1031.85
1562.30

35.12
46.15
34.28
31.35
27.26
59.27
24.28
58.61
36.10
46.57

24.72
33.36
28.61
20.89
17.72
52.78
13.51
50.16
30.83
39.38

2009
------------------------------------------------------------m
S2/m
P2
ID
Z
X*
6.82
4.42
22.80
4.38
11.73
2.96
5.7
7.05
13.04
11.18

42.40
18.60
81.23
14.54
26.49
13.87
27.80
53.43
32.12
76.14

145.89
68.27
69.33
105.27
79.60
98.80
102.66
138.09
58.60
133.00

1865.46
1004.35
3574.26
639.73
1298.01
749.06
1501.45
2885.43
1413.32
3350.09

51.75
34.47
75.22
26.44
41.10
28.36
44.45
65.62
43.84
72.53

48.22
22.02
103.03
17.92
37.22
15.83
32.50
59.48
44.16
86.32

2010
-------------------------------------------------------m
S2/m
P2
ID
Z
X*
1.47
4.69
6.29
2.49
4.30
2.53
2.69
3.93
8.71
6.98

10.90
18.52
26.15
9.45
17.27
25.72
29.12
35.75
14.51
47.85

127.98
176.86
118.44
66.88
136.68
218.27
207.00
214.84
76.18
124.07

479.45
1000.18
1150.48
415.95
846.16
1388.73
1572.27
1930.53
638.41
2105.39

21.64
34.38
38.64
19.52
31.29
42.36
45.73
51.79
26.41
55.56

11.37
22.21
31.44
10.94
20.57
27.25
30.81
38.68
22.22
53.83

P value of P2 < 0.01 in all cases; n = number of quadrats

Table 3:

Mean population density of N. depunctalis larvae per square meter (m), variance to mean ratio (S2/m), chi square value (P2), index of dispersion (ID), Z value and Lloyd mean crowding
(x*) in farmers rice fields during booting period of O. sativa

Rice field

2008
------------------------------------------------------------m
S2/m
P2
ID
Z
X*

Akajan Patiri
Arsi Lason
Balikata Miri
Fulbari Asomia
Galowa
Jalakia Suti
Kulajan
Mesu
Sila Gaon
Sissi Borgaon

45
55
45
45
50
55
55
55
45
45

0.13
0.05
0.42
0.4
2.46
0.8
0.6
0.11
0.18
0

3.27
0.96
1.78
1.98
21.64
3.31
2.01
1.59
1.35
0.00

78.40
43.66
62.11
40.13
202.00
85.09
85.09
87.31
57.73
-

144.00
52.00
78.11
87.00
1060.33
178.50
108.67
85.67
59.50
0.00

7.64
-0.15
3.17
3.86
36.20
8.55
4.40
2.75
1.58
-9.33

2.40
0.01
1.20
1.38
23.10
3.11
1.61
0.70
0.53
-1.00

2009
------------------------------------------------------------m
S2/m
P2
ID
Z
X*
1.11
1.64
8.8
2.69
8.70
1.24
1.95
6.95
11.36
3.33

3.12
7.95
33.47
9.53
55.58
4.58
7.76
55.80
40.99
11.82

100.24
121.89
163.33
162.33
135.92
74.44
107.36
117.91
152.51
49.00

137.20
429.44
1472.64
419.37
2723.28
247.44
418.84
3013.03
1803.37
520.20

7.24
18.96
44.94
19.63
63.95
11.90
18.60
67.28
50.73
22.93

3.23
8.59
41.27
11.22
63.28
4.82
8.71
61.75
51.35
14.15

2010
-------------------------------------------------------m
S2/m
P2
ID
Z
X*
0.24
1.52
0.62
4.04
0.07
0.95
0.84
6.24
12.14 137.95
2.40 31.77
0.44
3.80
5.44 48.19
0.27
1.26
1.33
6.72

80.07
66.73
136.46 218.35
33.80
42.00
212.96 274.63
137.20 6759.64
152.85 1715.50
126.00 205.17
137.93 2602.39
44.40
55.50
78.36 295.50

2.22
0.76
10.55
3.66
-0.16
0.02
14.11
6.08
106.42 149.09
48.23 33.17
9.91
3.24
61.80 52.63
1.21
0.53
14.98
7.05

P value of P2 < 0.01 in all cases; n = number of quadrats

Table 4: Mean population density of N. depunctalis larvae per square meter (m), variance to mean ratio (S2/m), chi square value (P2), index of dispersion (ID), Z value and Lloyd mean crowding
(x*) in cultivars of O. sativa during tillering period

Rice cultivar

2008
------------------------------------------------------------m
S2/m
P2
ID
Z
X*

Bahadur
Bogilahi
Bor Jahingia
Ijong
Kati Neoli
Kekua
Kola Joha
Ranjit
Ronga Bora
Saru Jahingia
Solpuna
Suagmoni
Toraboli

5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5

66.8
7
34
135.5
111
225.6
16
112.4
17.6
34.8
7.6
7
13.4

30.67
5.83
10.15
19.15
23.01
69.13
8.17
40.56
5.59
24.31
10.53
7.28
4.25

0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.60
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.60
0.00

153.36
29.15
50.74
95.77
115.05
345.63
40.86
202.81
27.97
121.57
52.67
36.39
21.27

14.87 1013.50
4.99
40.00
7.43 136.00
11.19 505.80
12.52 639.50
23.65 4977.30
6.39
81.70
17.49 1756.70
4.83
47.90
12.95 622.30
7.62 117.80
5.89
55.70
3.88
29.90

2009
------------------------------------------------------------m
S2/m
P2
ID
Z
X*

2010
-------------------------------------------------------m
S2/m
P2
ID
Z
X*

118.6
12.7
4
30.8
31.6
69.2
58
120.4
103.5
6.2
3.27
20.6
5.4

179
86
62.4
40
12.4
149
76.6
121
82
20.6
3.4
151.6
9.8

5.46
2.25
3.91
16.18
5.59
20.87
13.49
7.37
32.32
5.36
2.51
10.92
5.50

0.60
0.60
0.60
0.60
0.60
0.60
0.00
0.60
0.60
0.00
0.60
0.60
0.40

P value of P2 > or = 0.5 in all cases; n = number of quadrats

43

27.29
11.26
19.56
80.89
27.97
104.37
67.45
36.84
161.61
26.79
12.55
54.61
27.52

4.74
2.10
3.61
10.07
4.83
11.80
8.97
5.94
15.33
4.67
2.36
7.81
4.77

147.40
16.78
17.70
291.50
61.90
503.90
242.20
173.70
1139.80
33.90
8.57
138.90
34.70

32.06
47.22
39.18
9.97
8.20
15.31
6.31
26.08
21.97
10.09
3.21
9.04
8.14

0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
1.60
0.00
0.00
0.60
0.00
0.60
0.00
0.60
0.00

160.31
236.11
195.91
49.87
41.02
76.57
31.54
130.38
109.83
50.45
16.05
45.22
40.68

15.26
19.09
17.15
7.34
6.41
9.73
5.30
13.50
12.18
7.40
3.02
6.86
6.37

1206.00
2315.00
1596.70
138.50
78.70
382.50
115.40
800.00
563.50
121.40
12.70
232.40
75.00

Acad. J. Entomol., 5 (1): 41-46, 2012

Table 5:

Mean population density of N. depunctalis larvae per square meter (m), variance to mean ratio (S2/m), chi square value (P2), index of dispersion (ID), Z value and Lloyd mean crowding
(x*) in cultivars of O. sativa during stem elongation period

Rice cultivar

2008
------------------------------------------------------------2
m
S /m
P2
ID
Z
X*

Bahadur
Bogilahi
Bor Jahingia
Ijong
Kati Neoli
Kekua
Kola Joha
Ranjit
Ronga Bora
Saru Jahingia
Solpuna
Suagmoni
Toraboli

5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5

0
2
67
0
3.2
0
57.4
0
1.8
3.8
1.6
4.2
26.8

2.83
12.04
2.39
16.70
3.49
2.77
2.30
1.30
4.82

1.6
0.00
0.00
0.00
1.6
0.00
1.60
0.60
0.00

14.14
60.21
11.94
83.49
17.46
13.87
11.51
6.52
24.08

2.67
8.33
2.24
10.28
3.26
2.62
2.15
0.97
4.29

9.00
211.00
7.90
335.20
13.00
10.50
5.90
4.90
49.00

2009
------------------------------------------------------------2
m
S /m
P2
ID
Z
X*

2010
-------------------------------------------------------2
m
S /m
P2
ID
Z
X*

127.2
7.30
21.4
43.5
18.2
61.2
66.5
22
91.8
32.4
4.8
29
16.2

92
62
20.4
7.4
7.6
70.2
40
3.4
56.4
4.4
5.2
22.8
4.2

6.14
3.27
7.83
30.21
8.20
9.18
13.41
21.08
13.45
11.76
0.78
20.02
9.63

0.00
0.00
0.60
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.60
0.00
0.60
0.40
0.00
0.60

30.70
16.36
39.15
151.07
40.99
45.88
67.04
105.42
67.25
58.80
3.89
100.12
48.14

5.19
3.07
6.20
14.74
6.41
6.93
8.93
11.87
8.95
8.20
0.14
11.51
7.17

163.90
17.00
81.70
948.80
84.40
144.40
245.25
465.50
276.00
169.70
4.50
429.00
107.90

34.39
21.97
20.18
10.29
7.92
41.12
9.97
3.21
14.57
1.52
3.27
21.25
1.30

0.00
0.00
0.60
1.60
0.00
0.60
0.00
0.00
0.60
0.60
0.60
0.00
0.60

171.94
109.83
100.91
51.43
39.62
205.62
49.87
16.05
72.85
7.58
16.36
106.27
6.52

15.90
12.18
11.56
7.50
6.26
17.63
7.34
3.02
9.43
1.25
3.07
11.93
0.97

1273.50
543.50
426.70
112.20
69.40
1760.40
138.50
12.70
267.70
5.70
14.90
473.50
4.90

P value of P2 > or = 0.5 in all cases; n = number of quadrats

Table 6: Mean population density of N. depunctalis larvae per square meter (m), variance to mean ratio (S2/m), chi square value (P2), index of dispersion (ID), Z value and Lloyd mean crowding
(x*) in cultivars of O. sativa during booting period

Rice cultivar

2008
------------------------------------------------------------2
m
S /m
P2
ID
Z
X*

Bahadur
Bogilahi
Bor Jahingia
Ijong
Kati Neoli
Kekua
Kola Joha
Ranjit
Ronga Bora
Saru Jahingia
Solpuna
Suagmoni
Toraboli

5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5

0
1.2
3.2
0
0
0.8
1.2
0
0
0.6
0
0.8
1.2

1.79
3.42
0.84
0.84
0.55
0.84
1.30

1.60
0.60
0.40
0.20
0.40
0.60

8.94
17.10
4.18
4.18
2.74
4.18
6.52

1.58
3.20
0.25
0.25
-0.31
0.25
0.97

3.40
13.90
0.50
0.90
-0.10
0.50
1.90

2009
------------------------------------------------------------2
m
S /m
P2
ID
Z
X*

2010
-------------------------------------------------------2
m
S /m
P2
ID
Z
X*

23
11.87
5.13
2.75
5.1
6.59
19.33 7.11
12.8
5.81
50.8
7.66
68.14 7.64
9.6
2.30
75.8 96.99
7.8
9.63
4.4
1.40
13
4.69
3
2.74

0
0
22.8 21.25
7.4
6.35
3
2.74
0
54.4 15.24
4.6
4.56
106.6 89.22
0.8
0.84
3.8
3.83
3
3.24
0.6
0.55

0.00
0.00
0.60
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.60
0.00
0.60
0.60
0.00
0.00

59.37
13.75
32.97
35.57
29.03
38.31
38.20
11.51
484.93
48.14
7.01
23.45
13.69

8.25
2.60
5.47
5.79
4.97
6.11
6.10
2.15
28.50
7.17
1.10
4.20
2.59

163.00
10.63
45.30
67.13
45.50
108.50
123.84
13.90
1224.30
99.50
5.70
34.00
9.50

0.00
0.00
0.00
0.60
0.00
0.40
0.40
0.60
0.20

106.27
31.74
13.69
76.21
22.80
446.09
4.18
19.17
16.20
2.74

11.93
5.32
2.59
9.70
4.11
27.22
0.25
3.55
3.05
-0.31

473.50
46.70
9.50
285.70
24.40
8065.40
0.50
17.50
12.50
-0.10

P value of P2 > or = 0.5 in all cases; n = number of quadrats

During study period, 1485 quadrats were sampled from

farmers field and 195 quadrats were sampled from the
controlled experimental field.
Results of the variance to mean ratio (S2/m), index of
dispersion (ID), Z test and Lloyd mean crowding indicated
highly aggregated spatial distribution pattern of N.
depunctalis larvae. All rice fields of farmers showed
aggregated pattern of distribution during tillering and
stem elongation period. During booting stage, Arsi lason
in the year 2008 and Balikata miri in the year 2010 showed
uniform distribution. Degree of aggregation was highest
during tillering stage and then decreases gradually during
stem elongation and booting stage.
Index of dispersion (ID), P2 value, Z test indicated a
significant departure from a random distribution in all the
rice fields.
Degree of aggregation was comparatively low in
controlled field than that of farmers field. All cultivars
showed aggregated pattern of distribution during tillering
stage. No infestation was recorded in four cultivars,
Bahadur, Ijong, Kekua and Ranjit during stem elongation

period in the year 2008. No population was recorded in

Bahadur, Ijong, Kati Neoli, Ranjit, Ronga Bora and
Solpuna in the year 2008 and in Bahadur, Bogilahi and
Kekua in the year 2010 during booting period. Maximum
aggregation was observed in Ronga bora during booting
stage in the year 2008 and 2009. Kekua, Kola Joha, Saru
Jahingia and Suagmoni in the year 2008 and Saru Jahingia
and Toraboli in the year 2010 showed uniform distribution
during booting stage. Unlike farmers field condition
similar trend of distribution was observed during tillering,
stem elongation and booting stage in controlled
experimental field.
Aggregation observed in both studies may be resultant of intrinsic behavior of the individuals, response to
the food and habitat resources distribution, water level
and hill density of the rice field. Concentration of a
suitable resource in some areas has been considered as
the prevailing cause of aggregation of most organisms
[21]. In case of N. depunctalis, comparatively lower
aggregation pattern in different cultivars in controlled
experimental field indicated the role of varietal preference

44

Acad. J. Entomol., 5 (1): 41-46, 2012

in aggregation. However, aggregation pattern within the

same cultivar in the controlled experimental field indicated
the intrinsic behavior. Moth prefers to lay egg on the
underside of leaves floating on water [15]. Therefore, the
moth aggregates in such places to oviposit. Larvae crawl
and grip with the aid of 6 thoracic legs, while the crochets
are used to cling to its case and are not able to migrate to
distant places without the aid of water. This resulted in
aggregated distribution pattern of the larvae.
N. depunctalis larvae need water for respiration and
movement from plant to plant [15]. Egg desiccates if laid
on aerial portion of the leaves [16]. In areas without water,
most of the larvae were unable to survive and these may
result higher density in areas with water and lower density
in areas without water.
Venugopalrao et al., Heinrichs et al. and Oyediran et
al. [22-24] reported higher infestation of N. depunctalis
with higher hill density. This was another factor that
contributed to the higher degree of aggregation in
farmers field condition.
In farmers field condition, there was diversity in
habitat pattern due to water resource, hill density and rice
cultivar. It also resulted in aggregated pattern of
distribution. During stem elongation and booting period
water level was almost same in the rice fields, it was also
a cause for decrease of the degree of aggregation in these
periods compared to tillering stage. During booting stage
water resources near the rice field may results in high
density of larvae and higher aggregation.
Sometime low infested areas during tillering stage
may be a choice for the moth and the larvae during stem
elongation and booting period as observed in Ronga bora
during booting stage in the year 2008 and 2009.
Based upon the obtained results it may be concluded
that the spatial distribution of N. depunctalis larvae was
aggregated. N. depunctalis larvae distribution pattern was
determined by the oviposition pattern of the adults, type
of rice cultivar, water level and hill density. The results
indicate that use of sampling strategy that incorporate
spatial distribution information will help to model crop
loss more accurately strengthening IPM decision making
and that spatially targeted applications of insecticide will
reduce the cost of management of N. depunctalis and will
also reduce the risk of toxicity from synthetic insecticides.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.
8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

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