Impact Factor(JCC): 1.4507 - This article can be downloaded from www.impactjournals.us IMPACT: International Journal of Research in Applied, Natural and Social Sciences (IMPACT: IJRANSS) ISSN(E): 2321-8851; ISSN(P): 2347-4580 Vol. 3, Issue 3, Mar 2015, 1-8 © Impact Journals SURVEY AND SURVEILLANCE OF MAJOR INSECT-PESTS OF BASMATI RICE IN WESTERN UTTAR PRADESH (INDIA) RAVEESH KUMAR GANGWAR 1 , SHAILY JAVERIA 2 , KOMAL YADAV 3 , SWATI TYAGI 4 & RAMESH SINGH 5 1 2 3 & 4 Senior Research Fellow, Centre of Excellence for Sanitary & Phytosanitary (SPS), Certification, Research and Training, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India 5 Assistant Professor, and PI Centre of Excellence for Sanitary & Phytosanitary (SPS), Certification, Research and Training, Department of Plant Pathology Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India ABSTRACT A survey was conceded on the insect-pests incidence in Basmati rice ecosystem in western Uttar Pradesh of India. In Western U. P. mainly Pusa Basmati-1121, Pusa Basmati-1, Pusa Basmati-6, Pusa Basmati-1509 and Vallabh-22 Basmati varieties are cultivated in which about 60 % area is covered by PB-1121. The crop is infested by many insect-pests which play a significant role in limiting Basmati rice production. Insect-pests infest all parts of the plant at all growth stages, and a few transmit viral diseases such as leafhoppers and plant hoppers. In Basmati rice ecosystem some defender viz. dragon fly, spiders and praying mentis also were noticed. In Western Uttar Pradesh some other insect-pests as gundhi bug, rice hispa, brown plant hopper, grasshopper etc. were also found at Rice field. During the survey it was observed that the leaf folder and stem borer were found to be at significance level. A large number of insecticides have been tried for insect-pests management; indiscriminate use of pesticides has led to severe ecological consequences, residues in consumable products and ultimately resistance to the pesticides. The increasing concern for environmental safety and global demands for pesticide residue free food evoked keen interest in pest control through eco-friendly methods. KEYWORDS: Basmati rice, Survey, Insect-Pests, Residue and Pesticides INTRODUCTION Rice is the staple diet for more than two billion people in Asia and for a few hundreds of millions in Africa and Latin America (IRRl, 1985; Pillalyar, 1988). Rice is grown wide areas in Western Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. The crop is highly sensitive and a potential host for several insect pests (Prasad et. al., 2005). Two major factors are responsible for low yields in Basmati rice crops i.e. adverse weather (floods, drought, temperature and wind velocity etc.) and pest epidemics. Insect-pests attack the rice crop from the time of nursery bed is prepared until harvest. Rice field is managed ecosystems in which a large diversity of floral, faunal, and microbial species provides a wide range of services for human well-being (MEA 2005). However, a few species become pests; they are responsible for crop losses exceeding acceptable thresholds. When they occur in high densities, then can affect production and threaten food security. After the introduction of high yielding varieties of rice, distinct changes have been occurred in insect-pests complex in rice