Abstract:Cnaphalocrocis medinalis (Guenée) is a major rice pest in Yangtze River Area of Jiangsu Province.Previous researches suggest that the pests of the fourth generation (emergence from late Aug.to early Sept.) in the area emigrate and dont damage rice plants. But the damages caused by the pests of the fourth generation to rice plants at heading period are serious in recent years.The mechanisms behind the damage were studied through field surveys and lab experiments.The results indicated that the rate of planting area is 70% for the varieties of japonica rice in the area in 2003,which the growth period is prolonged by 15 days or so.The weight of pupae, rate of emergence, life span of adults and fecundity per-day of C.medinalis on Wuyujing 3 (japonica rice) were higher with 40.6%,54.5%,24.5% and 82.3% than that of Xieyou 136,respectively.The outbreak of the fourth generation C.medinalis in the area was mainly attributable to the changes of dominant rice varieties.In addition,the warmer autumn (>27 ℃ during mid and late August) and adverse effects of insecticides on natural enemies enhanced the field population of the fourth generation in the area.The forecast and control of the fourth generation C.medinalis were discussed in this paper.