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Three new techniques of rearing dryinids parasitising rice hoppers were developed, namely, laboratory rearing technique for detailed observations, device for transporting and rearing field-collected hoppers to estimate percentage parasitism and a breeding technique.Satisfactory techniques for studying dryinids' behavior and development or for rearing field-collected hoppers were not available to date. In most cases, studies were made in Petri dishes and glass tubes containing host plant, which proved unsatisfactory because of reduced aeration and accumulation of excessive moisture, particularly in tropical climate. Some workers used a smaller tube for holding the plant and a larger one to serve as cover (PAGDEN, 1934; WALOFF, 1975) but the disadvantages described above persisted and, in addition, rearing large number of hosts was still cumbersome. Therefore, 3 new techniques were developed and found satisfactory for conducting various studies on dryinids parasitizing rice leafhoppers and planthoppers. REARING CAGE FOR DETAILED OBSERVATIONSStudies of the biology, behavior and development of dryinids often required close examination through a binocular microscope. A cage was developed in which parasitized hoppers could be reared individually and close observations of larval development as well as feeding and parasitization behavior of the adult could be made.The cage ( fig. 1) was a transparent plastic tube measuring 160 mm x 24 mm and open at both ends. A nylon mesh was fixed on the upper end of the tube for aeration. One or 2 small holes were made on the sides of the cage for inserting aspirator. These holes were plugged with cotton. A rubber stopper which fits in the lower end of the cage was especially cut and bored to hold the roots of the rice plant while the aerial parts remained (1) Present address :

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