Location: Sunflower and Plant Biology Research
Project Number: 3060-21000-047-004-S
Project Type: Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Aug 1, 2020
End Date: Jul 31, 2024
Objective:
(1) Assess overwintering behavior and cold tolerance of sunflower pests in the soil, and (2) Determine if emergence data can be used to successfully model adult population development.
Approach:
Cultivated sunflower is usually attacked by multiple insect pests, but their management often relies on insecticides as a standalone tactic. Because of the need to conserve pollinators and the impending loss of some effective (but broadly toxic) insecticides, it is important to evaluate other possible management strategies that may complement judicious use of insecticides. For a key insect pest, the red sunflower seed weevil, artificial infestations of field plots will be used to assess overwintering behavior (movement within the soil) and cold tolerance. Data on emergence, combined with environmental data, will be examined to assess whether adult population development can be suitably described by a model. The results will be important in determining whether integrated pest management, including cultural practices such as modified planting dates, is feasible for the primary sunflower growing areas of North Dakota and South Dakota.
