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ARS Home » Plains Area » Fargo, North Dakota » Edward T. Schafer Agricultural Research Center » Sunflower and Plant Biology Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #48110
Title: RESISTANCE OF NATIVE SUNFLOWERS (ASTERALES: ASTERACEAE) TO THE BANDED SUNFLOWER MOTH (LEPIDOPTERA: COCHYLIDAE)

Author
item Charlet, Laurence
item BREWER GARY J - NDSU

Submitted to: Environmental Entomology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/27/1995
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Six native sunflower species were evaluated for resistance to damage by the banded sunflower moth, a major pest of cultivated sunflower in the northern Great Plains. Larval survival and oviposition preference were compared on heads of the native sunflowers. Larval development occurred on all sunflower species tested. The number of mature larvae surviving on the sunflower heads was higher on Helianthus annuus than on any other species. The lowest survival of larvae based on head surface area occurred on H. pauciflorus and H. tuberosus. More eggs were laid on H. annuus heads than the other species in multiple choice trials. In two-choice tests H. tuberosus heads had significantly fewer eggs than H. annuus. Resistance based on both mortality to larvae and non-preference of moths for laying eggs was evident in the perennial sunflower species H. pauciflorus, H. tuberosus, and H. maximiliani. Incorporating resistance genes from these species into commercial hybrids could reduce both damage and control costs for the banded sunflower moth.

Technical Abstract: Six native sunflower species were evaluated for mechanisms of resistance to the banded sunflower moth, Cochylis hospes Walsingham, a major pest of cultivated sunflower in the northern Great Plains. Larval survival and oviposition preference were compared on heads of the native sunflowers, Helianthus annuus L., H. petiolaris Nuttall, H. maximiliani Schrader, H. tuberosus L., H. pauciflorus Nuttall ssp. subrhomboideus (Rydberg) Spring & Schilling, and H. nuttallii ssp. rydbergii (Britton) Long. Larval development occurred on all sunflower species tested. Survival (number of mature larvae collected per head) was higher on H. annuus than on any other species. The lowest survival of larvae per cm2 of head occurred on H. pauciflorus and H. tuberosus. More eggs were laid on H. annuus heads than the other species in multiple choice trials. In two-choice tests H. tuberosus heads had significantly fewer eggs than H. annuus. Both antibiosis and antixenosis resistance were evident in the perennial sunflower species H. pauciflorus, H. tuberosus, and H. maximiliani. Incorporating germplasm from these species into commercial hybrids could be helpful in reducing control costs for the banded sunflower moth.