Assessment of population density and damage of the safflower fly, Acanthiophilus helianthi, on ten safflower genotypes

The safflower fly, Acanthiophilus helianthi Rossi, is an important pest of safflower in Isfahan region. In this study, population density and damage of the safflower fly on ten safflower genotypes namely Mexico 37, Mexico 38, Mexico 39, Mexico 50, Mexico 51, KW2, Line5, Line411, Padideh and Goldasht were studied in an experimental field (not using insecticide) during 2012 and 2013. Furthermore, yield indices of ten tested genotypes were studied in a control field (using Chlorpyrifos). The densities of larvae and pupa on Goldasht (7.6 and 8 larvae and pupa/plant) and Line411 (8.8 and 10.4 larvae and pupa/ plant) were lower compared to the other tested genotypes of safflower. In addition, the percentage of infested heads/plant, the percentage of reduced weight of infested head, the percentage of infested seeds/ head, and the percentage of seed loss/infested head on Goldasht and Line411 were lower than that on the other tested genotypes. Yield indices including the number of heads/plant, the number of seeds/ head and the weight of 1000 seeds on Goldasht and Line411 were higher compared to the other tested genotypes. These results indicated that Goldasht and Line411 were the least suitable genotypes to the safflower fly, and these genotypes with a high yield have the potential for use in integrated management program of A. helianthi in safflower fields.