Evaluation of Suggestive Modules for Management of Safflower Aphid (Dactynotus carthemi HRL) (Homoptera: Aphididae)

Results of field studies on evaluation of suggestive modules for management of safflower aphid (Dactynotus carthemi HRL) (Homoptera: Aphididae), carried out during Rabi 2013–15 in terai region of West Bengal, are reported. Dimethoate 30 per cent EC, imidacloprid 70 per cent WG, lamda cyhalothrin 5 per cent EC, triazophos 40 per cent EC, acephate 75 per cent SP, diafenthiuron 50 per cent WP and neem (1500ppm) were applied in field evaluations at their recommended doses at 15 d interval on 84 d old crop. The major insect-pest of safflower, the aphid and its predator populations were monitored at 1 d before and subsequently at 3, 7, and 14 d after spray. Two consecutive sprays of dimethoate (30% EC) provided highest control of safflower aphid (95.78%) and gave higher yield (12.42 q ha⁻¹). The application of chemical insecticides followed by neem @1500 ppm (module 2) resulted in 81.65–88.63 per cent reduction of aphid population and the yield ranged 10.62–12.34 q ha⁻¹. The spraying of neem @1500 ppm followed by chemical insecticides (module 3) provided 67.91–70.02 per cent control of aphid population and yielded 10.20–11.35 q ha⁻¹. The effect of different treatments of module 2 on predator population reduction was higher. These study suggests the prospect of application of botanical following chemical insecticides to obtain better yield with least disturbance to eco-system.