Chaetorellia acrolophi sp. n. is associated with some European species of the subgenus Acrolophus of Centaurea. It is a potential biocontrol agent of some Acrolophus species that are adventive noxious weeds in North America. Ch. acrolophi sp. n. is described, and a key is provided to all nine species. The confirmed host-plants, knapweed, starthistles and related plants, belong to the genera Centaurea, Carthamus and Chartolepis (Asteraceae), and these are listed. Available biological data are reviewed, and some details of egg, larval and pupal morphology are described. Host-plant choice tests and canonical variates analysis were used to justify the separation of some species and to help identify some populations. The following nomenclatural changes are made (junior synonyms in brackets): Chaetorellia conjuncta (Becker) is removed from synonymy with Ch. succinea (Costa); Ch. hexachaeta australis Hering is raised to specific status; Ch. hestia Hering (=Ch. nigropicta Hering); Ch. loricata (Rondani) (= Ch. mara Hering and Ch. loricata septentrionalis Hering). Questionable synonyms include: Ch. australis Hering (?=Trypeta hexachaeta Loew); Ch. hestia (?= T. vittata Rondani); Chaetostomella cylindrica (Robineau-Desvoidy) (?= Tephritis algira Macquart, which is removed from Chaetorellia).

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A revision of the genus Chaetorellia Hendel (Diptera: Tephritidae) including a new species associated with spotted knapweed, Centaurea maculosa Lam. (Asteraceae).

Uroleucon sonchi, an aphid species of Palaearctic origin, is a recent adventive to Australia. It is now widespread in anthropic areas of all states and the Australian Capital Territory, principally on sowthistles (Sonchus spp.) but also on lettuce. It is occasionally parasitised by Aphidius sonchi Marshall (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). Its possible economic importance in Australia is discussed. The species is also recorded for the first time from Norfolk and Philip Islands.

Uroleucon sonchi (Linnaeus) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in Australia.

Acanthiophilus helianthi Rossi (Diptera: Tephritidae) is a pest of safflower and its management is of great challenge because of its fecundity and concealed larval habitat. Potential components of an integrated pest management program for A. helianthi were investigated at the Gachsaran Agricultural Research Station, in southern Iran from November, 2008 to July, 2009. For the life cycle studies, the infected flower heads were collected from an experimental field plot and were developed from egg to adult under laboratory conditions. The results showed that the first adults emerged gradually in mid April, 2009. Female A.helianthi had a pre-oviposition period of 5.8 ± 1.0 days and the average fecundity was 27 ± 3.2 eggs. The eggs were laid in the bracts of flower heads singly or in clusters of 3-18. The Incubation period was 3.8 ± 0.6 days under field conditions and 3.4 ± 0.6 days under cage conditions. Three larval instars occurred, and the larval phase was 7-10 days. Males emerged earlier than females, but the longevity of the adult females (12 ± 3.0) was significantly greater than that of males (8 ± 1.0). Analysis of aggregated male and female sampling data showed that the sex ratio was 1:1.28. To evaluate the efficiency of different methods of fruit fly control on Safflower, a field experiment was carried out. Five diverse methods, insecticides, baiting, cultural, integrated management and no treatment were assessed on weight of one thousand seeds, percentage of oil, percentage seed damage and harvest/ha. Integrated management and insecticide control indicated best results with harvest potential of 1850 and 1723 kg/ha with a least damage of 5 and 8%, respectively. Since the use of selective insecticides is one of the most important methods for pest management, we evaluated the efficacy of six insecticides against A. helianthi infesting safflower. Among the treatments Endosulfan 35% EC at 0.03% proved more effective followed by Chlorpyriphos and Monochrotophos.

https://www.academicjournals.org/article/article1381486431_Saeedi et al.pdf

Development of integrated pest management techniques: Insect pest management on Safflower

Safflower fly, Acanthiophilus helianthi Rossiis is one of the most important pests of safflower in most parts of the country. Losses caused by larval feeding lead to disrupted plant activities, reduction in flower buds and ultimately decreased quality and quantity of the crop. In order to study seasonal flight activity of Acanthiophilus helianthi, experiments were conducted for two consecutive years at two different fields in Gachsaran region in 2007-2008. The seasonal flight of Acanthiophilus helianthi was investigated by using Baits traps and collecting samples from eggs, larva and pupa stages of the pest. The results showed that Acanthiophilus helianthi has three generations with an incomplete 4th in the region. Damage of first and fourth generation was very low. The flower heads were mainly damaged by the second and third generation of Acanthiophilus helianthi that happened about ten days after the adult emergency.

https://www.longdom.org/open-access/population-dynamic-of-the-safflower-fly-acanthiophilus-helianthi-rossi-diptera-tephritidae-in-gachsaran-region-iran-2161-0983.1000103.pdf

Population Dynamic of the Safflower Fly, Acanthiophilus Helianthi Rossi (Diptera: Tephritidae) in Gachsaran Region, Iran

The present research conducted to see the biodiversity of insects in warm and cool areas from March to April in 2009 at the Gachsaran Agricultural Research Station. A total number of 4261 specimens, which were identified into 31 families and 92 species. Out of total 31 families collected, 10 families were pests, 2 families belongs to predators and beneficial insects and 7 families belongs to parasitoids and beneficial insects and finally, 12 families of insects are saprophage and polyphagous. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in the number of insects collected between months. The mean number of insects collected in the month of March, April and May was 34.7, 30.7 and 36.2 respectively. The Basht area is most susceptible host for insects (37.9), while the Gachsaran and Lishter areas is less susceptible (33.5) and (28.4) so both sites not differ significantly in the population of insects. The family Coccinellidae had more population in the Gachsaran-safflower zone (98.3) than the Basht-safflower zone (54.6) and it was significantly similar to the family cicadellidae. Similarly, different families like Aphididae (98.0), Cicadellidae (74), Thripidae (50.0), Curculionidae (26.6), Noctuidae (25.0) and Torymidae (27.3) had higher population in the Gachsaran-safflower zone than in the Basht-safflower area with means of 92.3, 63.0, 42.6, 21.0, 21.6 and 19.3 respectively. Also the families like Nymphalide, Pieridae, Lygaeidae, Papilionidae, Miridae, Pentatomidae, Reduviidae, Geometridae, Gryllotalpidae, Mantidae, Acrididae, Saturnidae and Anthocoridae had mean population of 12.6, 7.4, 12.0, 4.1, 4.4, 8.6, 1.9, 0.5, 7.5, 2.4, 11.3, 3.3 and 8.9.

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A. A. Selim

Papers

Insect pests of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) in Mosul Northern Iraq.