Combating rice delphacid in the Southwest

Rice delphacid, an invasive insect that has caused economic damage in the Southwest, has received quick attention from Texas A&M AgriLife with response work focusing on trial research and producer education, as well as partnership and collaboration with the rice industry. 

Due to rapid economic growth in the Houston area, the annual cost to produce a rice crop in Texas is generally more than the rest of the country by approximately $400 to $500 per acre. This, coupled with rice delphacid damage, leaves an impossible situation for Texas rice farmers to produce an economically viable crop. In addition, currently available insecticides and cultivars used in the United States are showing little to no impact on this new pest, meaning the damage can be widespread and extensive. 

In 2025, the AgriLife Extension rice agronomy program played a major statewide leadership role. Trials were conducted in Wharton County to determine potential candidates for insecticide labeling in rice. Several products were identified and potential insecticide labeling considered. Approximately 20 locations across the state were used for official on-farm field verification of several active ingredients. 

Legislative meetings were held to share statewide trial results and findings were presented in a regional plan to congressional representatives. Testimony and research findings were also presented to the Texas House Agriculture Committee. 

Major strides were made by Texas A&M AgriLife working with the Texas rice industry in 2025, driven specifically by economic damage across significant growing acreage. The results from trials and legislative meetings will help expedite insecticide labeling when Texas A&M AgriLife releases its data and other information regarding rice delphacid.

Collaborators included Texas Rice Research Foundation, U.S. Rice Producers Association, USA Rice Federation, rice consultants as well as Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and Texas A&M AgriLife Research. | Project supported by private grants and contracts.