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ARS Home » Plains Area » Fargo, North Dakota » Edward T. Schafer Agricultural Research Center » Sunflower Improvement Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #412176
Research Project: Sunflower Yield, Crop Quality, and Interactions with Biotic and Abiotic Stressors

Location: Sunflower Improvement Research

Title: Strategies and ongoing research for managing the red sunflower seed weevil

Author
item Prasifka, Jarrad

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/26/2024
Publication Date: 2/6/2024
Citation: Prasifka, J.R. 2024. Strategies and ongoing research for managing the red sunflower seed weevil. Meeting Abstract.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The red sunflower seed weevil (Smicronyx fulvus LeConte) is a severe insect pest in South Dakota. Though weevil management has been characterized by a reliance on insecticides, limited product choices and efficacy mean additional strategies are needed. Early planting and early-blooming hybrids have promise in reducing high seed weevil populations. Since 2022, trials at Dakota Lakes Research Farm and in Pierre-area grower fields have shown large reductions to weevil damage with competitive yields and oil content. Early harvests also likely limit losses from birds and lodging (caused by Dectes stem borers or other causes). Several additional research projects related to weevil management are planned or ongoing in South Dakota, including (1) a new attempt to map genes conferring resistance to the weevil, (2) assessing the spatial distribution of weevils to help inform how to best use insecticides or other non-insecticidal tools, and (3) efforts to interfere with weevil preference or host finding. While more insecticides may become available to growers in 2024, the use of several other non-insecticidal tactics is the safest way to reduce populations and preserve the effectiveness of insecticides.