Studies were conducted on resistance in rice ( Oryza sativa L.) to direct damage caused by the planthopper, Sogatodes oryzicola (Muir). Reistance was expressed throughout the growing period of the plant. Nymphs, males, and females all caused damage and killing of susceptible rice varieties. Resistant to the insect was independent of resistance to the hoja blanca virus (HBV) vectored by the same species. A mass screening technique for evaluation of large numbers of varieties or plant selections was developed along with a scale for evaluation of damage. A survey of 534 varieties indicated that about 20% were highly resistant or resistant, 40% were intermediate, and 40% were susceptible. All resistant varieties were indicas from southeast Asia which showed little or no damage while susceptible ones were killed. Resistance appears to be highly heritable, is easily recombined with other agronomic traits, and is unassociated with plant pubescence. It is believed that resistance to the planthopper will protect varieties in the field from appreciable virus damage, even though the variety is susceptible to hoja blanca when the viruliferous insects are obliged to feed on it.