Determination of the distribution and density of Seedhead weevil [Bangasternus planifrons (Brulle) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) harmfull on safflower in Ankara province

This study was carried out to determine the distribution and density of the pest, Seedhead weevil (Bangasternus planifrons Brulle) in safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) fields in Ankara in the year of 2014 and 2015. The data obtained from the surveys and samplings conducted in Aya？, Bala, Kalecik, Polatl？ and ？erefliko？hisar districts, in which safflower is intensively grown, were evaluated, and B. planifrons was determined in all of the districts in 2014, and the infestation ratios were 4.17, 23.05, 1.16, 6.11 and 1.16 %, respectively. In 2015, the pest was detected in all districts, except Aya？, and the infestation rates for Bala, Kalecik, Polatl？ and ？erefliko？hisar were 24.06, 0.99, 43.57 and 1.75 %, respectively. The average numbers of adults in safflower fields of Aya？, Bala, Kalecik, Polatl？ and ？erefliko？hisar were determined as 4.67, 9.34, 3.38, 6.64 and 3.44 adult plant-1, respectively, in 2014. For the districts in the same order except Aya？ in 2015, the average numbers in the same places were 8.08, 2.75, 6.56 and 2.33 mature infected plants, respectively. As a result of this study, it was determined that B. planifrons causes high yield loss in safflower due to feeding of the larvae in newly formed seeds