• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.207-215
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• 1994

The brown planthopper (BPH), Nilaparuata lugens, is the major pest 01 nce in Asla. Cument control tactics rely pnmalily on chemical ~nsecticides and resistant nce varieties In Korea, the most important biolog~cal conb-ol agent appears to be the naturally-occuning, mermlthid nematode, Agarnermrs unka. Although parasitism of BPH is highly variable from place to place and from year to year. the rnermithid is a promising biological control agent because it reduces the fecundity of the host and ultimately causes its death. The memithid has only one generation per year compared to the three to four generations of BPH, but the mermithid lemales stagger their egg production so that many individuals in all BPH generations are parastized. Augmentation of this rnermithld into BPH populations is only psslble on a limited scale because it is an obligate parasite and mass production technology has yet to be developed. Conservation of naturally-occumng populations through cultural techniques and the use of compatible resistant rice varieties and chemical insecticides may lead to an effective integrated pest management program for BPH.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.129-136
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• 2002

Agamermis unka, a mermithid parasite of brown planthopper (BPH), Nilaparvata lugens, is the most important natural enemy of BPH and white-backed planthopper (WBPH), Sogatella furcifera in Korea. Distribution of A. unka was investigated in Korean rice fields from 1992 to 1998 and in 2001. Overwintering population of A. unka in Gosung, Namhae, and Tongyoung from 1992 to 1998 was different depending on locality and year. In the survey of A. tanka distribution in the spring of 2001, A. unka was found only at Jangheung and Haenam in Jeonnam province and Namhae, Jinju, Sancheong, Sacheon, Gosung, Tongyoung, Uiryeong, Changwon, Gimhae, and the experimental field of Gyeongsangnamdo Agricultural Research and Extension Services at Jinju in Gyeongnam province out of 30 observed regions in 5 provinces. The number of A. unka was 1,045/㎥ at Namhae, 947/㎥ at the experimental field of Gyeongsangnamdo Agricultural Research and Extension Services, and 395/㎥ at Gosung. Density of A. unka at the rice paddies of Gyeongnam province after harvest in 2001 was higher at the rice fields of Namhae, Gosung, and the experimental field of Gyeongsangnamdo Agricultural Research and Extension Services. Although density of A. unka was higher in the pesticide-untreated plots than fungicide-treated or insecticide-treated plots of forecasting paddies, there were no significant differences. After rice harvest A. unka was found from the forecasting paddies of Gosung, Jinju, Namhae and Sacheon out of 19 observed localities in Gyeongnam province.