Praunus

Systematic position: The pest Praunus belongs to the order Mysidacea. While most species in this order are predominantly aquatic, some individuals interact with agricultural ecosystems located in coastal zones or flood-irrigated areas, creating unique challenges for agronomic management in specific environments.

Damaged crops: This pest primarily affects crops cultivated in water-saturated environments, such as paddy rice. The presence of Praunus can lead to significant stress on seedlings, as the pest targets the tender roots and submerged stem tissues during the initial stages of crop establishment.

Biology and life cycle: The lifecycle of Praunus is entirely dependent on an aquatic habitat. Reproduction occurs through the brood pouch of the females, allowing for rapid colonization of standing water bodies. Population growth is highly sensitive to water temperature and the availability of organic matter within the irrigation systems.

Damage and harmfulness: The primary damage involves mechanical scraping of the epidermal layers of plant roots and stalks. This activity stunts the growth of the crop and facilitates the entry of pathogens, leading to weakened plant stands and potential yield losses if the infestation reaches high density.

Management and protection strategies include:

• Managing irrigation water levels to disrupt breeding cycles.
• Regular maintenance and cleaning of irrigation channels.
• Application of suitable aquatic-safe pesticides when thresholds are met.
• Enhancing soil drainage to reduce the permanent aquatic habitat for the pest.