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The rice whorl maggot is semi-aquatic. It is common in irrigated fields and feeds on the central whorl leaf of the vegetative stage of the rice plant. It does not occur in upland rice. The insect does not prefer direct-seeded fields and seedbeds. The adult is active during the day and rests on rice leaves near the water. It floats on the water or perches on floating vegetation. It prefers thick vegetation and is attracted to open standing water around seedbeds. Neonate maggots feed on the unopened central leaves where larval development is completed in 10-12 days. The full-grown maggots pupate outside the feeding stalk.

Rice whorl maggot: Hydrellia philippina Ferino (Diptera: Ephydridae)  Kannada name: Whorl maggot Vernacular name: Adult whorl maggot Period of occurrence:  Central whorl leaf of the vegetative stage of the rice plant. Alternate hosts: Its alternate hosts include grasses such as Brachiaria sp., Cynodon sp., Echinochloa sp., Leersia sp., Leptochloa sp., Panicum sp., and wild rice Damaging stage of the insect: Maggot Factors favouring insect damage: Standing water in paddies during the vegetative stage Host plants Transplanted young seedlings Standing water and thick vegetation near fields Damage: Feeding damage causes yellow spots, white or transparent patches and pinholes Life cycle : Eggs: The egg is whitish and elongate. It is banana-shaped with a hard shell covering Maggot: Small, white or yellowish legless maggots are approximately five to seven mm in length. Pupa: Pupae are elongate, tapered at both ends and brown colored Adult: Adults are small gray to dark gray colored flies of about two to three mm in length.     Symptoms of damage: White or transparent patches Pinholes Damaged leaves easily break from the wind Somewhat distorted leaves Clear or yellow spots on inner margins of emerging leaves  Stunting Control measures: There is no cultural control for rice whorl maggot.  Biological control:  Small wasps parasitized the eggs and the maggots. Dolicopodid flies prey on the eggs and ephydrid flies and spiders feed on the adults.

Eggs Maggot Pupa Adult