Efficiency of Different Group Insecticides on Safflower Pod Borer, Helicoverpa armigera

Safflower pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner), is one of the most important pests of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) which causes economic losses. To compare the efficiency of some customary insecticides with new insecticides against this pest, current research was undertaken in a randomized complete block design with 7 treatments and in 3 replications in Abadeh, Zarghan and Sepidan cities of Fars province in 2018. Treatments included six insecticides namely indoxacarb (EC15%), Bt (EC 3.6%), profenofos (EC 40%), thiodicarb (DF 80%), chlorfluazuron (EC 5%), lufenuron (EC 5%) and a check without spraying. Insecticide application was carried out when most of the pest eggs were hatched and young larvae started feeding on the crop. Sampling was carried out one day before and 3, 7 and 14 days after spraying by counting the number of live larvae on crop. Sampling was carried out by taking 10 plants from the middle line of each plot, and the live larvae on the samples were counted. Mean comparison of percent efficacy of the tested pesticides in cities of Abadeh, Zarghan and Sepidan indicated that profenofos with 87.87%, 72.52% and 57.97% and thiodicarb with 86.16%, 75.33% and 55.63% ranked first in the group. Bt (82.23%, 59.93%, and 33.70%), indoxacarb (73.20%, 51.10%, and 38.90%), chlorfluazuron (73.50%, 43.26%, and 32.60%) and lufenuron (66.40%, 33.10%, 29.66%) were ranked in the next groups respectively. Profenofos and thiodicarb showed the highest efficacy against the larvae and therefore both of them could be recommended for the chemical control of safflower pod borer in safflower fields.