Population development of Acanthiophilus helianthi (Rossi) (Diptera: Tephritidae) On Five Different Safflower Varieties in Van, Turkey

Acanthiophilus helianthi (Rossi, 1794) (Diptera: Tephritidae) also known as safflower fly, is an oligophagous species that cause significant damage to safflower plants. Safflower Carthamus tinctorius (L.) (Asterales: Asteraceae) plant, which is among its hosts, is an important energy plant whose cultivation has increased in recent years in our country resistant to drought and has high adaptability. This study investigated the population growth of A. helianthi on different safflower varieties (Asol, Ayaz, Balcı, Dinçer and Göktürk) in Van Yuzuncu Yıl University, Faculty of Agriculture for two years (2019-2020) in Van province. Result of the study, it was determined that the pest showed a similar population change in both years, the adult individuals were seen at the end of June - mid-August, and their pupae from this date to the beginning of September. It was seen that the insect density was statistically different between the varieties at different sampling dates and the highest adult density was found in Asol pupae in both years, and in Göktürk variety. It was determined that Ormyrus sp. (Hymenoptera: Ormyridae), Microdontomerus annulatus (Spinola, 1808) (Hymenoptera: Torymidae), Eurytoma acroptilae (Zerova, 1986) (Hymenoptera: Eurytomidae) and Bracon sp. (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) are essential parasitoids of A. helianthi and show different densities on varieties. It has been observed that thorn, color, vegetative development, climatic factors, and parasitoids play an active role in the population development of safflower cultivars.