The System of Rice Intensification (SRI) developed in Madagascar has spread to many parts of the world, including India. This study assessing insect pest prevalence on rice grown with SRI vs. conventional methods at multiple locations in India was prompted by reports that SRI-managed rice plants are healthier and more resistant to pest and disease damage. Field experiments were conducted under the All-India Coordinated Rice Improvement Project over a 5-year period. The split-plot design assessed both cultivation methods and different cultivars, hybrids and improved varieties. Across the eight locations, SRI methods of cultivation showed a lower incidence of stem borer, planthoppers, and gall midge compared to conventional methods. Whorl maggots and thrips, on the other hand, were observed to be higher. Grain yield was significantly higher with SRI management across all locations. Higher ash, cellulose, hemicellulose, as well as silica content in rice plants under SRI management could explain at least in part the SRI plants’ resistance to pest damage. Analysis of guild composition revealed that in SRI plots, there were more natural enemies (insect predators and parasitoids) present and fewer crop pests (phytophages). A meta-analysis that considered other published research on this subject revealed a lower incidence of dead hearts, white ear-heads, and leaf folders, along with higher grain yield, in SRI plots.

Fruit flies are among the major pests of fleshy fruits which affect production throughout the world and represent the most economically important group of polyphagous Diptera. Use of male pheromone traps is a widely followed approach to manage fruit flies, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) and Bactrocera zonata (Saunders) (Tephritidae: Diptera) in mango. Using effective trap density is critical for achieving adequate control of fruit flies. In this regard, an investigation was conducted to evaluate the trap densities for mass trapping of the mango fruit fly. Results revealed that the highest numbers (2710.33 fruit flies/trap/month) of fruit flies were trapped with density of 25 traps/ha, followed by 20 traps/ha (2247.90). While, the lowest numbers (885.89 fruit flies/trap/month) of fruit flies were trapped in 5 traps/ha. Based on the findings, use of 25 methyl eugenol traps per hectare is considered optimum to reduce fruit fly population in mango.