author(s)
K Chandrasekar, S Suresh, RP Soundararajan and T Boopathi

abstract
The present investigation was carried out under glass house conditions to study the feeding behaviour of whitebacked planthopper (WBPH) Sogatella furcifera (H) on selected rice genotypes. Feeding marks and feeding rate were used as reliable parameters to evaluate the resistance nature of the genotypes against insect pests. Low honeydew excretion and higher feeding marks was related to resistance of rice genotypes against WBPH. The maximum number of feeding marks observed 30 days-old plant in leaf sheath PTB 41 (10.67) followed by IR 72 (10.33). In 45 days old plants also maximum number of feeding marks present in PTB 41 (13.33) followed by IR 64 (11.67). In leaf blade 30 days old plants was maximum PTB 41 (5.33) followed by CO 43 (4.67). On 45 days-old plants, the feeding marks on the leaf blade were maximum in CB 08-504 and IR 64 (4.67) followed by IR 72 (4.33) when compared to TN 1 (3.00). The feeding rate WBPH was assessed in terms of the amount of honeydew excreted is directly propositional to the amount of the sap sucked by WBPH. CO 43 recorded 24 hours the lowest feeding rate (0.08 cm²) followed by IR 64 (0.12 cm²). Likewise at 48 hours feeding rate (0.20 cm²) followed by (0.25 cm²).