Maliarpha separatella (Rag) was found to infest the rice crop for the greater part of the crop's growth cycle. There was an extended peak of larval activity, and the build up of the larval population was correlated with stand establishment and stem development. The intensity of both tiller infestation and internode tunnelling was found to increase with the crop maturity. Some aspects of control measures of the pest as related to the insect-pest/host-plant relationship are discussed.