Louisiana Rice water weevils are right at home in Louisiana in fact, they re native to the abundant freshwater wetlands, so many of its aquatic grasses, even sedges, are home cooking. The population is higher here, says Michael Stout, research entomologist at Louisiana State University. We can get two to three generations a year, depending on the weather, and have fewer overwintering losses. So the pressure is more sustained. We probably have the worst problems in the country.
Cultural practices make matters worse.
To control weeds, especially red rice, most southwest Louisiana farmers either keep fields flooded continuously or pinpoint flood when rice may be at only the two-leaf stage. The earlier they bring on the flood, the earlier the infestation, Stout says. Stout estimates that about 60 percent of Louisiana acreage was seeded with Icon-treated seed in 2000. However, many Louisiana rice farmers cut back on use of Icon this year, says Johnny Saichuk, Extension rice specialist, because of economics or their personal beliefs about its effects on crawfish. Karate is the alternative treatment most planned to use, again mainly because of economics.