Integrated and sustainable strategies for the management of rice leaf folder, Cnaphalocrocis medinalis (Guenee): Recent developments, challenges and prospects

Abstract

Rice leaf folder (RLF), Cnaphalocrocis medinalis (Guenee) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), is a major migratory pest of rice that cause severe chlorophyll loss, reduced photosynthesis and significant yield decline through leaf folding, scraping and defoliation, particularly when populations surpass economic thresholds. To mitigate leaf folder, wide array of insecticides is available at commercial level however overreliance on chemical insecticides has resulted in resistance development, pest resurgence and destruction of natural enemy communities, creating ecological imbalance. Effective and long-term control of C. medinalis demands an integrated framework combining ecological regulation, cultural and behavioral interventions, biological control and judicious, need-based pesticide use. Strategies such as habitat manipulation, ecological engineering and biodiversity enhancement strengthen natural pest regulation, while improved agronomic practices, including balanced nutrient application, proper water management and deployment of tolerant varieties, which reduce crop susceptibility. Additionally, behavioral tools like pheromone traps enhance monitoring, facilitate early detection and support mating disruption, whereas biological agents, including Trichogramma spp., entomopathogenic fungi like Beauveria bassiana, Pseudomonas fluorescens and a diverse range of predators, provide environmentally safe and effective suppression of the pest.