Rice mealy bug:

Drought with moderately high temperature favors the infestation of the pest. These are found in colonies between the stem and leaf sheath. Nymphs and adults are sedentary and suck sap from stems and leaf sheath. The infested plants appear stunted and scorched. High incidence inhibits panicle emergence and plants may even dry. Ants visit the mealy bug infected plants and are also found to carry the pest to un-infested plants.

Management:

• Remove weeds from the fields and around.