Rice billbug (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) and other insect pests of furrow irrigated rice production systems in the Mid-Southern United States

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Abstract
: The Mid-Southern United States is responsible for approximately 75% of total rice hectares planted annually, making it the most saturated rice producing region in the country. Two cultivation systems are predominantly used in this region. Traditional flooded rice cultivation involves labor-intensive levee construction, prolonged harvest times, and crop rotation challenges. Furrow-irrigated rice (FIR) systems offer a promising alternative that can reduce costs and address these other limitations. During 2018, FIR accounted for approximately 10% of the total rice hectares in Arkansas. As of 2025, FIR has been adopted on nearly 20% of Arkansas’ total rice hectares, and similar trends have emerged in many states across the Mid-Southern United States, in particular Missouri, due to the regions lighter soil types. Rice producers have expanded their FIR hectares to reduce labor and tillage costs and facilitate crop rotation. However, the absence of a flooded field environment has rendered rice more susceptible to pests that were previously considered minor in traditional flooded rice systems. In particular, rice billbug (Sphenophorus pertinax) (Oliver) have established its presence in FIR across the Mid-Southern United States, and initial observations suggest that it could become the most impactful insect pest in FIR with respect to yield loss. As the popularity of this production system continues to grow, there is a pressing need for research to develop effective pest management practices. This paper reviews the major insects affecting traditional flooded rice systems, assesses their impact on furrow-irrigated rice production, and addresses new insect threats in the FIR production system.

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