Sunflower
Guides
Asphondylia helianthiflorae
Asphondylia helianthiflorae is a gall midge species in the family Cecidomyiidae, first described by Felt in 1908. Like other members of its genus, this species induces galls on host plants. The specific epithet "helianthiflorae" indicates an association with sunflower (Helianthus) flowers. The genus Asphondylia is known for inducing galls on diverse plant parts including flowers, fruits, and leaves across various host species.
Asphondylia helianthiglobulus
Sunflower Purse Gall Midge
Asphondylia helianthiglobulus is a gall midge species in the family Cecidomyiidae. Its larvae induce distinctive globular stem galls on several sunflower species in eastern North America. The specific epithet "helianthiglobulus" references both its host genus Helianthus and the rounded shape of the galls it produces. This species exemplifies the intimate plant-insect relationships characteristic of gall midges, where larval development occurs entirely within plant tissue.
Brachycaudus
Short-tailed Aphids
Brachycaudus is a genus of aphids in the family Aphididae, commonly known as short-tailed aphids. The genus contains approximately 43 species distributed worldwide, including significant agricultural pests such as B. helichrysi (peach leaf curl aphid) and B. rumexicolens. Species in this genus exhibit remarkable evolutionary lability in life cycle strategies, with transitions occurring between monoecy on woody hosts, heteroecy (host alternation), and monoecy on herbaceous plants. This flexibility contradicts the traditional assumption that aphids cannot regain primary woody hosts once lost.
Bucculatrix simulans
Bucculatrix simulans is a small ribbed cocoon-making moth in the family Bucculatricidae, described by Annette Frances Braun in 1963. It occurs in central North America from Texas northward to Iowa and east to Ohio. Adults are active primarily from January through July, with a wingspan of 9.5–10 mm. The larvae are known to feed on Helianthus (sunflower) species and create distinctive stem galls.
Cochylichroa hospes
Banded Sunflower Moth
A small tortricid moth native to North America, the banded sunflower moth is a significant pest of cultivated sunflowers. Adults are active in mid-summer and are attracted to sunflower heads at twilight for egg-laying. The species was transferred from the genus Cochylis to the redefined genus Cochylichroa in 2019 based on phylogenetic analysis.
Cylindrocopturus longulus group
The Cylindrocopturus longulus group represents a species complex within the weevil genus Cylindrocopturus, closely related to C. adspersus (Sunflower Stem Weevil). Members of this group are stem-boring weevils associated with sunflowers (Helianthus spp.). The group designation indicates taxonomic uncertainty, with specimens potentially representing an undescribed species. Like other Cylindrocopturus species, these weevils likely complete their life cycle within sunflower stems, with larvae boring downward through pith tissue.
Haplorhynchites
head-clipping weevils, leaf and bud weevils
Haplorhynchites is a genus of leaf and bud weevils in the family Attelabidae, comprising ten recognized species. The genus is best known through Haplorhynchites aeneus, commonly called the sunflower head-clipping weevil, which exhibits a distinctive reproductive behavior where females girdle plant stems below the flower head to facilitate larval development. Members of this genus are associated with prairie ecosystems and sunflower plants, with most species described from North America.
Homoeosoma
sunflower moth
Homoeosoma is a genus of pyralid moths (family Pyralidae, subfamily Phycitinae) containing multiple species associated with plants in the Asteraceae family. The genus includes significant agricultural pests, particularly of sunflower (Helianthus annuus), as well as species feeding on weedy composites such as ragwort (Senecio jacobaea) and thistles. Several species have been studied extensively for their host plant relationships, chemical ecology, and potential for biological control of invasive weeds.
Homoeosoma electellum
American sunflower moth, sunflower moth, head moth
Homoeosoma electellum, commonly called the American sunflower moth or sunflower moth, is a small pyralid moth native to North America and also present in South America. It is the most economically significant pest of cultivated sunflowers in major production regions including Texas, Nebraska, California, and the Canadian Prairie Provinces. The species does not overwinter in Canada; adults migrate northward annually from southern populations. Females are strongly attracted to blooming sunflower heads, where they deposit eggs on or near the florets.
Papaipema rigida
rigid sunflower borer, Joe-Pye Weed and Rigid Sunflower Borer Moth
Papaipema rigida is a noctuid moth commonly known as the rigid sunflower borer. The species is native to North America and is one of approximately 50 species in the genus Papaipema, a group of borers specialized on herbaceous plants. The common name references its association with rigid sunflower (Helianthus rigida) and related composite plants. The species was described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1877.
Publilia modesta
Publilia modesta is a Nearctic treehopper species in the family Membracidae, tribe Polyglyptini. It is strongly associated with sunflowers (Helianthus spp.) and engages in well-documented mutualistic relationships with ants, which tend aggregations of nymphs and adults for honeydew. The species has been recorded from multiple ant species, with some evidence suggesting ant diversity rivaling that of Neotropical treehopper systems. It is one of the most frequently studied treehoppers in North America due to its accessibility and pronounced ant associations.
Smicronyx fulvus
Red Sunflower Seed Weevil
Smicronyx fulvus, commonly known as the red sunflower seed weevil, is a small seed-feeding weevil in the family Curculionidae. Adults are 2.5–3 mm long and reddish-brown in color. The species is a significant pest of cultivated sunflower (Helianthus annuus) in North America, with larvae developing inside developing achenes and reducing seed oil content by approximately 30% per larva. It has a univoltine life cycle with adults present throughout the growing season.
Smicronyx sordidus
Gray Sunflower Seed Weevil
Smicronyx sordidus, commonly known as the gray sunflower seed weevil, is a seed-feeding weevil in the family Curculionidae. Adults are pale gray and approximately 6–8 mm long. The species has a single annual generation and is a recognized pest of cultivated sunflowers, particularly affecting confectionery and hybrid seed varieties. Larvae develop inside sunflower seeds, destroying the kernel from within before dropping to the soil to overwinter.
Trupanea bisetosa
fruit fly
Trupanea bisetosa is a tephritid fruit fly whose larvae develop within sunflower heads. The species was originally described as Urellia bisetosa by Coquillett in 1899. It has been documented in southern California and Mexico, with confirmed host associations to wild sunflower (Helianthus spp.).
Vanduzea laeta
Vanduzea laeta is a small treehopper species in the family Membracidae, described by Frederic Webster Goding in 1893. Adults are active primarily from May through August. The species is recognized as a pest of common sunflower (Helianthus annuus) and other Helianthus species, feeding on plant sap. It is frequently confused with the related species V. segmentata.
Zygogramma exclamationis
sunflower beetle
Zygogramma exclamationis, the sunflower beetle, is a leaf-feeding chrysomelid beetle native to North America. Adults emerge from hibernation in late spring to early summer, coinciding with sunflower seedling emergence, and feed on young leaves. Larvae develop through summer, feeding nocturnally on foliage while hiding in flower bracts during daylight hours. The species completes one generation per year, with new adults emerging in late summer before overwintering in soil. It is a recognized pest of cultivated sunflowers, particularly damaging to seedlings, and serves as host for parasitoid tachinid flies including Myiopharus neilli.