Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) is a highly adaptable crop known for its seeds which are used for oil extraction and its flowers used in coloring and flavoring foods. Like many crops, safflower can be affected by various pests that can impact its growth and yield. Here’s an overview of some common pests that can affect safflower: Insects Safflower Fly (Acanthiophilus helianthi) These flies lay eggs on the plant, and the emerging larvae feed on the flowers and seeds, causing significant damage. Sunflower Moth (Homoeosoma electellum) The larvae of the sunflower moth feed on the developing seeds and flower parts, leading to yield loss. Aphids (various species) Aphids suck sap from the plant, which can weaken it. They also excrete a sticky substance known as honeydew, which can lead to the growth of sooty mold. Thrips (Thysanoptera spp.) Thrips feed on the flowers and sometimes the leaves, causing deformed growth and reduced seed production. Cutworms (Noctuidae family) Cutworms are the larvae of nocturnal moths and can severely damage seedlings by cutting them at the soil line. Wireworms (Elateridae family) The larvae feed on seeds and roots, impairing seed germination and reducing plant vigor. Mites Spider Mites (Tetranychus spp.) These tiny pests cause damage by piercing plant cells and sucking out the contents. Infestations can lead to yellowed, speckled leaves and overall plant stress. Birds Various bird species Birds are attracted to safflower seeds and can consume a significant portion of the crop if not managed, especially during the ripening stage. Management Strategies Cultural Control: Implement crop rotation, remove plant residues, and use trap crops to disrupt the life cycle of pests. Biological Control: Encourage natural predators and parasitoids such as lady beetles for aphids and parasitic wasps for caterpillars. Chemical Control: Use pesticides judiciously, targeting specific pests as needed, and following integrated pest management (IPM) practices to minimize environmental impact. Physical Barriers: Netting or row covers can be effective in protecting seedlings from birds and some insect pests. Monitoring and timely intervention are key to managing pests in safflower. Using a combination of methods often yields the best results, reducing pest populations while promoting a sustainable crop production system.

1. Pests of safflower
By
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD.
Assistant Professor (Entomology)
JSACAT
Affiliated to Tamil Nadu Agricultural University

2. Safflower Caterpillar, Condica capensis, Noctuidae,
Lepidoptera
1
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)
Damage symptoms
The larvae feed on the leaves and
defoliate the plants which lose their
vigour and become stunted
Distribution: Serious pest of safflower throughout India
A female lays about 60 eggs singly or in small
clusters on leaves and stems

3. The adult is a dark-brown medium-
sized moth with white wavy markings
on the forewings
The full grown caterpillar is about 25 mm long,
smooth, greenish with purple markings and
humped on the anal segment.
It pupates in the soil for 10- 15 days Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

4. Symptom/nature of damage
Larvae feed on the foliage, prefers
flowers and buds
When tender leaf buds are eaten
symmetrical holes or cuttings can be
seen upon unfolding of leaflets
Widespread in central and southern Europe, temperate Asia, Australia and Africa
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)
Flower head borer, Helicoverpa armigera, Noctuidae,
Lepidoptera
2

5. On the forewings, there is speck that forms a V-shaped mark. Hind wings are dull
grey coloured with a black border on the distal end.
Spherical in shape with
sculptures in the form of
longitudinal ribs
The colour varies according to the food intake. Dorsal surface
bears dark broken stripes. Head is reddish-brown. Larva is highly
cannibalistic and readily eats one another.
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

6. Management
Deep summer ploughing
Install pheromone trap @ 5/ha
Use Trichogramma chilonis @ 1 lakh/ha or Chrysoperla carnea @ 50000/ha at 40 and 50
days after sowing
Apply HaNPV @ 250 Larval Eqivalent/ha or B.t (Bacillus thuringiensis) 1 kg/ha or 5% NSKE
for monitoring eggs and early instar larvae
Conserve the bio control population of spiders, long horned grasshoppers, preying
mantids, robber fly, ants, green lace wing, damsel flies/dragon flies, flower bugs, shield
bugs, lady bird beetles, ground beetle, predatory cricket, braconids, trichogrammatids,
NPV, green muscardine fungus
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

7. Safflower semilooper, Eublemma silicula, Noctuidae,
Lepidoptera
3
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)
Symptom of damage
Young larvae of semiloopers scrape the
tissues from leaf blades, while mature
larvae feed on leaf edges to create
notches
Adult: Moth has forewings with yellow
and brown purple patches
Distribution of India, Sri Lanka, Thailand and other parts of SE Asia

8. Pod fly, Melanagromyza obtusa, Agromyzidae,
Diptera
Nature of damage
• Young maggot attaches itself on the
immature seed inside the pod.
• In the beginning it feeds on the surface
• Later mines into seeds and makes
galleries
• One seed is enough for the development of
a maggot.
8
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)
India, Indonesia, and Malaysia

9. Symptom of damage
• Shriveled pods and seeds.
• Damaged seeds become unfit for consumption
and also do not germinate.
• However, the attack of the fly remains
unnoticed by the farmers due to the concealed
mode of life of this insect within the pods.
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

10. Freshly laid eggs are white, broad and
round at its posterior end which is
embedded in the tissues of the pod and
narrowed anteriorly into a somewhat
elongated egg sheath.
Freshly hatched maggot is white
Full-grown maggot is cylindrical in
shape and is narrower at the head end,
which bears black mouthparts.
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

11. Pupation takes place in hard
chitinous puparium, which is
found sticking to the side of pod.
Abdomen is glossy black,
but in some cases it is slight
bronzy, while in other cases
it has a greenish-blue
background.
Management
Conserve natural enemies like Euderus
lividus, Eurytoma sp., Euderus
agromyzae
Euderus spp. Eurytoma sp.
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

12. Safflower Bud Fly, Acanthiophilus helianthi,
Tephritidae, Diptera
5
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)
Distribution and status: This pest has been reported from Delhi, Uttar Pradesh,
Haryana and Madhya Pradesh in India.
Damage symptoms
The injury is caused by the maggots
which feed upon the floral parts
including the thalamus
The infested buds begin to rot and
an offensive smelling fluid oozes at
the apices giving a soaked
appearance to the buds

13. The adult fly is ash coloured
with light brown legs
The females lay eggs in
clusters of 6-24 within
the flower buds or the
flowers
Young maggots start feeding on the florets and the
thalamus. They pupate inside the buds
Three generations are completed during a crop season Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

14. Flower thrips, Frankliniella schultzei, Thripidae,
Thysanoptera
6
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)
Symptoms of damage:
Young/ terminal leaves showing white scars
Transmits peanut bud necrosis
It is a pest of Southeast Asia origin from where it spread to the rest of Asia, North
Africa, Australia, Central and South America, and the Caribbean

15. Safflower Aphid, Uroleucon compositae, Aphididae,
Hemiptera
7
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)
Feed on flower-stems, and in low numbers
along the mid-ribs of leaves, of a wide
range of Asteraceae
Tropical and subtropical climates, especially in Africa, on the Indian subcontinent, and
also in West Asia, Réunion, Mauritius, Taiwan, Brazil & Surinam