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Spiders against the Brown Plant-Hopper

September 9, 2013

Resistant pests are posing an increasing threat to rice farmers in Asia, and researchers at the International Rice Research Institute in the Phillipines are now looking at ways to get rid of insects...

https://p.dw.com/p/19eBo
Rice farmers work under the Mayon Volcano which has been relatively quiet after violent eruptions several days ago Wednesday, June 27, 2001 in Bonga, about 330 kilometers (200 miles) southeast of Manila. Local Volcanologists said Wednesday that although the risk of another major eruption over the next few days has lessened, there is still danger of mud slides from the volcano as the Philippines enters the rainy season.(AP Photo/Nelson Salting)
Image: AP

... like the brown planthopper with the help of their natural enemies. They've discovered that a particular species of hunting spider is highly-effective at keeping populations of the pests under control.The institute is now trying to disseminate the knowledge to small rice farmers across the region.

Spiders against the Brown Plant-Hopper