RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PEST AND PREDATORS ON SAFFLOWER IN WEST BENGAL

Three groups of predators like coccinellids, syrphids, spiders and two groups of insect pests i.e. safflower aphid, Dactynotus carthami HRL. and lepidopteran larvae were recorded from four varieties of saflower for two consecutive years 1990-91 and 1991-92. The incidence of three groups of predators on four varieties of safflower viz. A1, A2oo, A3oo and Veema revealed that A200 harboured the highest population of syrphids, coccinelids and spiders. The lowest population of syphids was recorded on Veema and A300 in 1990-91 and 1991-92 respectively. The least population of coccinellid was recorded on Veema in 1991-92. The lowest population of spider was recorded on Veema in 1990-91 and A300 in 1991-92.