Sunflower
as corn rootworm beetle and blister beetle) can be found as pollen feeders on sunflower
heads, but usually cause little injury.
Table 4: Common Insects in Sunflower
Sunflower moth Eggs are laid at flowering and hatch in 1 week. Larva
Homoeosoma electellum have dark bands running length of body. Feeds on floral
parts, tunnels in Seed.
Banded sunflower moth Moth has brown area mid-wing (.5 in.). Larvae are not
Cochylis hospes dark striped, smaller than head moth. Makes a small hole
in top of seed, feeds on meat.
Sunflower bud moth Dark grey moth. Larvae .5 to 1 in. in length. Feeds on
Suleima helianthana young stem and head. Headless or damaged heads or large
hole on stem near a leaf petiole is symptom.
Sunflower midge Small (.1 in.) gnat with tiny (.1 in.) cream-colored larvae
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