A survey of rice insect pests conducted during 1983–87 in Nigeria revealed 70 species of pests, 14 parasitoids and two predators. Both incidence and severity of pests varied considerably across different climatic zones and rice agro‐ecosystems. Thirteen Insects were classified as major pests. They are: stalk‐eyed fly.Diopsis longicornisMacquart; lepidopterous stem borers.Mallarpha separatellaRag.,Chllo zacconiusBlesz,Sesamiaspp.; African gall midge,Orseolia oryzivoraH&G;armyworm,Spodopteraspp.; leaf folder,Marasmia trapezallsGuenée; grain‐sucking bugs.Asparvia armlgeraFab.,Stenocorisspp.; case worm,Nymphula stagnalisZell; lady bird beetle,Epilachna similisThunb.; whorl maggot,Hydrellia prosternalisR&D; and termites. The brown plant hopper,Nilaparvata maeanderFennah, and whitefly,Aleurocybotus indicus D&Sare potentially serious pests. The insect pest situation will probably change in Nigeria as the use of modern inputs increases, based on experience In Asia.