Pest Insect Fauna of Safflower Fields in Kohgiloyeh and Boyerahmad Province, Iran

Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) is an important oilseed crop and an essential component of cropping systems in the dry regions and marginal areas of the world. Since identification of insect pests and their natural enemies is one of the most efficient methods for pest management, we evaluated insect fauna in safflower fields of Kogiloyeh and Boyerahmad province, Iran. To study pest insect fauna of safflower fields of Kohgiloyeh and Boyerahmad province (Iran), 3 main cultivation regions were selected and insect pests and their natural enemies were surveyed and collected according to the plant phenology, during 2008-2009. To sample different techniques, such as sweeping, sticky yellow traps, bait traps and rearing of adult insects, were used and infestation rate and population density of the insects were recorded. Pest insect fauna was as follow, in brief. 1. Pest insects feeding inside the flower heads (bolls) and their natural enemies: Acanthiophilus helianthi, Chaetorellia carthami, Trellia luteola (Tephritidae), Antistrophoplex conthurnatus, Microdontomenus annulatus (Torymidae); Bracon hebetor, Bracon luteator (Braconidae); unidentified specimens (Ichneumonidae); Pronotalia carlinarum (Eulophidae); Ormyrus orientalis (Ormyridae); Colotrechnus viridis, Pteromalus sp. (Pteromalidae); Eurytoma acroptilae (Eurytomidae); Isocolus tinctorius (Cynipidae) .2. Pest insects feeding around the flower heads (bolls) and their natural enemies: Oxycarenus palens, O. hyalipennis, Lygus spp. (Lygaeidae), unidentified specimens (Dermestidae), Aphids & Thripses 3. Pests insects feeding on other parts and their natural enemies:Uroleucon compositae, Pleotrichophorus glandolosus, Brachycaudus helichrysi (Aphididae), Lysiphlebus fabarum (Braconidae); Pachyneuron concolor (Pteromalidae), Coccinella septempunctata, Hippodamia variegate (Coccinellidae); Orius spp. (Anthocoridae); Chrysoperla carnea (Chrysopidae); Neoaliturus fenestratus, Euscelis alsius, Macrosteles laevis, Psammotettix striatus, Circulifer haematoceps (Cicadellidae); Reptalus bitinctus (Cixiidae), Thrips tabaci (Thripidae); Aeolothrips collaris (Aeolothripidae); Haplothrips sp. (Phlaeothripidae), Chromatomyia horticola (Agromyzidae), Agrotis sp., Heliothis peltigera (Noctuidae). The results indicate the various insect pests and their natural enemies is active in the safflower fields and their identification is very important for various control methods.

Pests, Fauna, Safflower, Integrated Pest Management, Iran