ARS | Publication request: North Dakota Sunflower Insect Pest Survey, 2006-2008

Submitted to: Meeting Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: February 25, 2010
Publication Date: February 26, 2010
Repository URL: http://www.sunflowernsa.com/research/research-workshop/documents/Knodel_PestSurvey2_10.pdf
Citation: Knodel, J.J., Beauzay, P.B., Charlet, L.D., Gross, T.A. 2010. North Dakota Sunflower Insect Pest Survey, 2006-2008. 32nd Sunflower Research Workshop, January 13-14, 2010, Fargo, ND. Available: http://www.sunflowernsa.com/research/research-workshop/documents/Knodel_PestSurvey2_10.pdf

Interpretive Summary: The major insect pest species that cause economic losses to sunflower producers in North Dakota are the banded sunflower moth, the red sunflower seed weevil, and the sunflower midge. New emerging insect pests include lygus bugs, the sunflower bud moth, a longhorned beetle, and the sunflower seed maggot. Sunflower moths occasionally migrate into the northern Great Plains production region and can cause severe yield losses. Each year, the National Sunflower Association supports a sunflower crop survey prior to harvest in the southern and northern Great Plains. Data is collected on agronomic practices and pest problems, including weeds, diseases and insects. Information collected during the survey provides yield forecast estimates, pest forecasts for the following year, and shows trends in pest problems from year to year. This information also helps the NSA focus their funding on important research and extension efforts. Results of the 2006, 2007 and 2008 sunflower insect pest surveys are reported for incidence and damage caused by the banded sunflower moth, red sunflower seed weevil, sunflower midge and longhorned beetle in North Dakota.

Technical Abstract: The major insect pest species that cause economic losses to sunflower producers in North Dakota are banded sunflower moth (Cochylis hospes Walsingham), red sunflower seed weevil (Smicronyx fulvus Le Conte), and sunflower midge (Contarinia schulzi Gagne). New emerging insect pests include lygus bugs (Lygus spp.), sunflower bud moth (Suleima helianthana (Riley)), longhorned beetle (Dectes texanus LeConte), and sunflower seed maggot (Neotephritis finalis (Loew)). Sunflower moths (Homoeosoma electellum (Hulst)) occasionally migrate into the northern Great Plains production region and can cause severe yield losses. Results of the 2006, 2007 and 2008 sunflower insect pest surveys are reported for banded sunflower moth, red sunflower seed weevil, sunflower midge and longhorned beetle in North Dakota.