Question

Common name of paddy pest Leptocorisa is
A. Silverfish
B. Water flea
C. Gandhi poka
D. Crayfish

Answer 1

Hint: Leptocorisa genus belongs to phylum Arthropoda. They are a type of rice bugs that feed and breed on paddy grains. They are distributed throughout India but are more prevalent in Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Southern states. They are greenish-yellow insects with long legs and characteristic buggy odour. The adult grows about an inch in length.

Complete answer:
Option A) Silverfish: Silverfish is a common name of the species Lepisma saccharinum. It is a wingless, tiny insect belonging to the Zygentoma group. It feeds on carbohydrates such as sugar and starches. It is commonly found in attics, basements, bathtubs, sinks, kitchens, old books and classrooms. This species is not a paddy pest.
Option A is incorrect.
Option B) Water flea: The water flea is a microscopic crustacean. It gets its name from the jerky, flea-like motions it makes while swimming. It lives-in various aquatic environments, such as rivers, ponds, freshwater lakes and streams. Some species also live in acidic swamps but they are mainly freshwater dwellers.
Option B is incorrect.
Option C) Gandhi poka: Gandhi poka is a common name given to the Leptocorisa species in India. It gets its name because of the distinct stink it produces. This option is correct.
Option C is correct.
Option D) Crayfish: Crayfish are freshwater crustaceans similar in appearance to small lobsters. They are also called crawfish, craydids, crawdads, freshwater lobsters, mountain lobsters, rock lobsters, mudbugs, or yabbies. They are the members of superfamilies Astacoidea and Parastacoidea.
Option D is incorrect.

Hence, Option C) Gandhi poka is the correct answer.

Note:
The Leptocorisa rice bugs destroy a large number of crops in the flowering stage. They suck out the milk from the newly formed rice grains. Control measures include draining out the water from an infested field for three to four days or using pesticides such as BHC, DDT, Malathion and Methyl Parathion dust etc.