Maclean et al. - 2002 - Rice almanac source book for the most important e

Wolf spiders feed on a range of insect pests.
Spiders are especially numerous and diverse
partners in rice fields. In South and Southeast
Asia, at least 340 species are known from rice
lands. Parasitoids are generally more hostspecific
than predators. Although parasitoids are
easy to overlook, their effect on pests can be
extremely important. Parasitoids lay their eggs
in, on, or near the host. When the egg hatches
and the young parasitoid develops, the host
eventually stops feeding and dies. Various pathogenic
microorganisms (fungi, bacteria, and
viruses) infect and kill insect pests of rice. Other
species of fungi and bacteria attack weeds or are
important in the biological control of rice
diseases.
The rice plant and its ecology 29