Intensive host range studies comprising of 55 common weeds and eight cultivated plant species indicated thatNephotettix virescens could survive and breed only on susceptible rice variety, whileN. nigropictus had a wider host range consisting of rice, sugarcane and five graminaceous weeds.N. virescens preferred rice plant both for settling and egg laying whileN. nigropictus showed greater preference toLeersia hexandra than others. Both species selected the host plants by gustation rather than by vision or olfaction.