Bud-borer
Guides
Suleima helianthana
sunflower bud moth
Suleima helianthana, commonly known as the sunflower bud moth, is a tortricid moth species native to central North America. The species is a specialist pest of sunflowers (Helianthus spp.), with larvae that tunnel into stalks and buds. Two generations occur annually. While historically documented on cultivated and wild sunflowers, the species was first recorded on Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus) in California's San Joaquin Valley in 2024, representing an emerging pest situation for small-farm producers.