Relative toxicity of apparent pesticides against safflower capsule fly, Acanthiophilus helianthi Rossi (Diptera: Tephritidae) under laboratory conditions

Safflower capsule fly, Acanthiophilus helianthi Rossi (Diptera: Tephritidae), is a key pest of safflower in Iran. The toxicity of Methidathion, Malathion, Deltamethrin and Lufenuron to adult males and females of Acanthiophilus helianthi was studied under laboratory conditions. Malathion was the most toxic among the tested compounds followed by Methidathion, Lufenuron and Deltamethrin to Acanthiophilus helianthi at 24 h post treatment, the respective LC50 values were 0.40 ppm, 0.68 ppm, 10.99 ppm, and 11.75 ppm for males and 0.46 ppm, 0.97 ppm, 13.45 ppm, and 16.32 ppm for females. At 48 h post treatment Malathion was the most toxic followed by Methidathion, Deltamethrin and Lufenuron to Acanthiophilus helianthi, LC50 values were 0.08 ppm, 0.54 ppm, 1.80 ppm, and 1.96 ppm for males and 0.34 ppm, 0.64 ppm, 1.88 ppm and 2.37 ppm for females. At 72 h post treatment Malathion was the most toxic followed by Methidathion, Lufenuron and Deltamethrin to Acanthiophilus helianthi LC50 values were 0.04 ppm, 0.33 ppm, 0.44 ppm and 0.71 ppm for males and 0.09 ppm, 0.36 ppm, 0.75 ppm and 0.82 ppm for females. It is observed that LC50 values for treated adult females increased more than in the treated adult males at 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h post treatment. It means that the adult males were more susceptible to the tested insecticides than the adult females.

Safflower; Methidathion; Deltamethrin; Lufenuron; Malathion; Tephritidae; Safflower capsule fly, Acanthiophilus helianthi