Journal of Economic Entomology (1964) 57, 140-145

Elmer C. Carlson (1964)
Damage to safflower plants by thrips and Lygus bugs and a study of their control
Journal of Economic Entomology 57 (1), 140-145
Abstract: Most bronzing and blasting of developing safflower buds are caused by western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) rather than by lygus bugs. Lygus bugs appeared to cause economic damage only when their populations attained levels equivalent to 40 bugs per sweep. Bud loss attributed to these 2 pests reached a magnitude of 36 to 43% before reduction of seed became of economic importance.
Although buds were susceptible to insect injury, the plants were tolerant to bud damage and exhibited a considerable compensative ability. As many as 100% of the developing lateral buds were snipped off at the onset of bloom of the primary seed heads without affecting seed yield. This fact was related to a significant increase in seed produced by the remaining primary seed heads.
Dimethoate was the most effective pesticide tested against thrips and lygus bugs on safflower. One prebloom spray, 1/2 lb actual dimethoate per acre, controlled both insects for an extended period. Trichlorfon gave acceptable control when applied twice at a rate of 1 1/2 lb actual per acre each time. An adjuvant was incorporated in the trichlorfon sprays. DDT and malathion gave fair results.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
damage/losses/economics
control - general

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Frankliniella occidentalis	Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius)	U.S.A. (SW)