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Paddy Bug
Leptocorisa acuta
15.4563, 119.92
Field Notes
Description:
Alydidae; Micrelytrinae; Leptocorisini; Leptocorisa acuta (Thunberg, 1783). Wikipedia's article on L. acuta, the Paddy Bug explains the dilemma faced by many rice farmers. "Because attacks occur near to harvest, if farmers spray insecticides in an attempt to control outbreaks, they risk leaving harmful pesticide residues on the crop." My personal view is that spraying pesticides not only risks leaving harmful substances on the crop which poses an obvious risk to human health, but the chemicals used to kill Paddy Bugs will almost certainly kill many other creatures, some of which are beneficial to the crop, e.g. spiders. My wife and I are fortunate that we are not under the pressures that subsistence farmers face. We don't have to squeeze every last kilo of produce out of the land. Our farming is almost just a hobby and it provides some local employment which helps, but we are acutely aware of the difficulties faced by the farming community as a whole.
Habitat:
These bugs were spotted in a rice field which was left uncultivated this season to allow the land to rest. When we do this, an amazing variety of grasses and foliage springs up very quickly and creates what I like to call a tropical meadow. Because the neighbouring farms have all completed their harvesting in recent days, a great many Paddy Bugs have moved into our fields which have lots of wild grasses that they can consume.
Notes:
Wikipedia's article does not mention the Philippines, but confirmation of the presence of L. acuta in Philippines is provided by https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/field/Leptocorisa_acuta.htm
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