Sunflower-pest
Guides
Aphis nasturtii
Buckthorn Aphid, Buckthorn-Potato Aphid
Aphis nasturtii is a cosmopolitan aphid species known primarily as a pest of agricultural crops, particularly potatoes, sunflowers, lettuce, and beets. It is a phloem-feeding insect that extracts plant sap using piercing-sucking mouthparts. The species is of significant economic concern due to its direct feeding damage and its role as a vector for at least 15 plant viruses. Common names reflect its association with buckthorn (likely a primary or overwintering host) and potato (a major agricultural host).
Ataxia
Ataxia is a genus of longhorn beetles (Cerambycidae: Lamiinae: Pteropliini) described by Haldeman in 1847. Species in this genus are found in the Americas and are associated with herbaceous plants, particularly members of the Asteraceae family. The genus includes species such as Ataxia hubbardi, which breeds in living tissues of plants including Helianthus, Ambrosia, and Silphium species. Some populations show morphological variation associated with specific host plants.
Baris
Baris is a genus of true weevils in the family Curculionidae, first described by Germar in 1817. The genus comprises small to medium-sized weevils characterized by their typical curculionid body plan with an elongated rostrum. Species within Baris are associated with various host plants, with some species documented as pests of agricultural crops including sunflowers. The genus has a primarily Nearctic distribution, with species occurring across North America.
Baris strenua
Sunflower root weevil
Baris strenua is a species of weevil in the family Curculionidae, first described by Champion in 1909. It is commonly known as the sunflower root weevil and is recognized as a pest of cultivated sunflowers in North America. The species is native to North America with confirmed records from Manitoba, Canada. Adults feed on sunflower foliage, causing minor damage, while larvae develop on roots and can cause significant wilting and lodging of plants. Despite its potential as a pest, economic thresholds for insecticide application have not been established, and control measures are generally not warranted.
Cochylichroa
Cochylichroa is a genus of tortricid moths in the family Tortricidae. The genus was redefined in 2019 to include nine species based on phylogenetic analysis; most were previously classified under the genus Conchylis. It contains several notable species including the banded sunflower moth (C. hospes) and Arthur's sunflower moth (C. arthuri).
Cochylichroa arthuri
Arthur's sunflower moth
Cochylichroa arthuri is a small tortricid moth commonly known as Arthur's sunflower moth. It was transferred from the genus Cochylis to the redefined genus Cochylichroa in 2019 based on phylogenetic analysis. The species is a specialist feeder on sunflower seeds and has a restricted North American distribution centered on the Great Plains and adjacent regions.
Cochylis
Cochylis is a genus of leafroller moths in the family Tortricidae, subfamily Tortricinae. Species are distributed across the Holarctic, Oriental, and Neotropical regions. In the Palaearctic, members exhibit one or two generations annually with larval overwintering. Larvae are oligophagous, feeding primarily on Asteraceae. The genus has undergone taxonomic revision; in 2019, eight species were moved to the redefined genus Cochylichroa based on phylogenetic analysis.
Condica
Condica is a genus of noctuid moths erected by Francis Walker in 1856. The genus contains approximately 60 described species distributed across multiple continents, with documented records from Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, and Australia. Several species are recognized as agricultural pests, particularly of safflower, sunflower, and cotton crops. The genus is classified within the subfamily Condicinae of the family Noctuidae.
Cylindrocopturus adspersus
sunflower stem weevil
Cylindrocopturus adspersus, commonly known as the sunflower stem weevil, is a true weevil in the family Curculionidae. Adults are small, grayish-brown beetles with irregular whitish markings, approximately 5 mm in length. The species has a single generation per year, with larvae developing inside sunflower stems and overwintering in chambers hollowed out at the base of the plant. It is recognized as an occasional but potentially serious pest of cultivated sunflowers in North America, capable of reducing yields by up to 50% in heavily infested fields.
Cylindrocopturus deleoni
Cylindrocopturus deleoni is a species of weevil in the family Curculionidae, first described by Buchanan in 1940. It belongs to the genus Cylindrocopturus, which includes several species associated with sunflower and other Asteraceae hosts. The species is recorded from western North America, specifically Alberta and British Columbia in Canada. Like other members of its genus, it is likely a stem-boring weevil with larvae that develop within host plant stems.
Dectes
Dectes stem borer
Dectes is a genus of longhorn beetles (family Cerambycidae, subfamily Lamiinae) established by John Lawrence LeConte in 1852. The genus contains three recognized species: Dectes nigripilus, Dectes sayi, and Dectes texanus. The most economically significant species is D. texanus, commonly known as the Dectes stem borer or soybean stem borer, which has become an important agricultural pest of soybean and sunflower crops in the central and eastern United States. Larvae tunnel into plant stems and girdle the base before overwintering, causing lodging and yield losses. D. sayi is also associated with soybean and sunflower but prefers common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) as a primary host.
Dectes texanus
Dectes stem borer, Texas prick, soybean stem borer
Dectes texanus is a native North American longhorn beetle (Cerambycidae: Lamiinae) that has emerged as a significant agricultural pest of soybeans and sunflowers in the Midwestern and Great Plains regions of the United States. Adults are characterized by antennae longer than their bodies and a pale gray coloration. Larvae tunnel inside plant stems from July through October, then girdle the stem base internally before overwintering, causing pre-harvest lodging and yield losses. The species has expanded its range and pest status dramatically since the 1980s, correlating with increased soybean acreage and adoption of no-till farming practices. Originally associated with wild hosts including ragweed and cocklebur, it colonized cultivated soybeans approximately 50 years ago.
Euxoa ochrogaster
red-backed cutworm, red-backed cutworm moth
Euxoa ochrogaster, the red-backed cutworm, is a Noctuidae moth with a Holarctic distribution spanning Iceland, northern Europe, and North America from Alaska to Newfoundland and south to Arizona and New Mexico. Adults are active from late July to early September, with flight phenology tied to accumulated degree-days above 12.5°C. The larvae are generalist feeders on broad-leaved plants and grasses, including Plantago species, and are economically significant as pests of sunflower (Helianthus annuus) in North America. Laboratory studies indicate eggs possess a moderately severe diapause terminated more quickly at 5°C, with development rates varying inversely with temperature.
Fallapion occidentale
Black Sunflower Stem Weevil
Fallapion occidentale, commonly known as the black sunflower stem weevil, is a small weevil in the family Brentidae (primitive weevils) that feeds on sunflower plants (Helianthus spp.). Adults are black and approximately 3 mm in length. The species develops internally within sunflower stems and leaf petioles, with larvae feeding on pith tissue. It has been documented in association with the sunflower stem weevil (Cylindrocopturus adspersus) in Texas, though it causes minimal economic damage compared to other sunflower pests. Pupation occurs within the plant, with adults emerging in late summer.
Frechinia helianthiales
Sunflower Bantam
Frechinia helianthiales is a small crambid moth known as the Sunflower Bantam. It was described in 1897 and occurs across central North America from southern Canada to Mexico. The species is closely associated with Helianthus (sunflower) species, on which its larvae are leaf miners.
Gymnocarena diffusa
Sunflower Receptacle Maggot
Gymnocarena diffusa is a tephritid fruit fly that develops exclusively on sunflower (Helianthus annuus). Adults are pale with patterned wings and feed on extrafloral nectaries. Females lay eggs between bract layers on sunflower heads, and larvae bore into the head to feed on developing tissues. The species is known from North Dakota and has been observed in Canada and the United States. It completes one generation per year, with larvae overwintering in soil after exiting the sunflower head.
Liriomyza helianthi
Liriomyza helianthi is a leaf-mining fly in the family Agromyzidae, described by Spencer in 1981. The species is a specialist herbivore whose larvae feed internally on leaf tissue, creating characteristic mines. Research has demonstrated strong female oviposition preference for its normal host Helianthus annuus (sunflower) compared to novel host plants, with larval performance generally correlating with this preference pattern. The species has potential significance as a pest of cultivated sunflower and related Asteraceae crops.
Lygaeus
seed bugs, milkweed bugs
Lygaeus is a genus of seed bugs in the family Lygaeidae, containing over 60 described species. Members are characterized by aposematic coloration—typically combinations of red, black, gray, and white—that advertises chemical defenses. Several species, notably L. kalmii (small milkweed bug), sequester cardiac glycosides from host plants, rendering them unpalatable to predators. The genus exhibits diverse feeding strategies ranging from seed-feeding specialization to opportunistic scavenging.
Mecas
Mecas is a genus of longhorn beetles (Cerambycidae: Lamiinae) in the tribe Saperdini, distributed in North America. Species in this genus are stem- and root-borers, with larvae developing internally within host plant tissues. Some species have been documented as pests of cultivated sunflowers, while others are associated with native Asteraceae and other plants. The genus contains approximately 18 described species across three subgenera.
Mecas cana
Mecas cana is a longhorn beetle species in the family Cerambycidae, described by Newman in 1840. The species is distributed across North America, including the United States and Mexico. Two subspecies are recognized: Mecas cana cana (the nominate subspecies) and Mecas cana saturnina (LeConte, 1859). Like other members of the genus Mecas, this species is associated with plants in the sunflower family (Asteraceae), where larvae bore into stems and roots.
Mecas pergrata
Mecas pergrata is a longhorned beetle in the family Cerambycidae, described by Thomas Say in 1824. Adults are 6–12 mm in length with gray pubescence. The species is a stem- and root-borer that exploits plants in the sunflower family (Asteraceae), including cultivated sunflowers. It is known from Mexico and the United States.
Mesostenus gracilis
Mesostenus gracilis is a small ichneumon wasp in the family Ichneumonidae, first described by Cresson in 1864. The species is a parasitoid wasp known to attack caterpillars of several moth families, particularly those that bore into stems, shoots, or bark. It has been recorded from Canada and the United States, with observations in sunflower fields and other habitats. The species is one of approximately ten Mesostenus species occurring in North America north of Mexico.
Neotephritis
sunflower seed maggot
Neotephritis is a genus of tephritid fruit flies established by Hendel in 1935. The genus contains approximately 12 described species distributed in the Americas. At least one species, Neotephritis finalis, is a documented pest of cultivated sunflowers, with larvae feeding within developing flower heads and reducing seed set. Adults are characterized by patterned wings typical of Tephritidae, often with dark markings and hyaline spots.
Neotephritis finalis
Sunflower Seed Maggot
Neotephritis finalis, commonly known as the sunflower seed maggot, is a univoltine tephritid fly that is a significant pest of cultivated sunflower (Helianthus annuus) in North America. Adults emerge in late June to early July, mate on sunflower heads, and females oviposit into developing heads during the R3-R4 growth stages. Larvae feed gregariously on developing seeds from July through August, causing direct damage that reduces seed quality and yield. The species completes one generation per year, with third instar larvae exiting heads to pupate in soil and overwinter as pupae.
Plagiomimicus spumosum
Frothy Moth
Plagiomimicus spumosum, commonly known as the frothy moth, is a noctuid moth described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1874. It has a transcontinental distribution across North America, from southern Canada to the United States. The species is univoltine, with adults active in mid-summer. Larvae are seed-feeding specialists on sunflower (Helianthus annuus), burrowing into the flower heads to consume developing seeds.
Rachiplusia
sunflower looper (R. nu)
Rachiplusia is a genus of moths in the family Noctuidae, subfamily Plusiinae, containing at least four species distributed across the Americas. The most economically significant species is Rachiplusia nu, known as the sunflower looper or "oruga medidora del girasol," which has emerged as a major pest of soybean and sunflower in South America. Larvae of this genus are characterized by the looping locomotion typical of Plusiinae, resulting from having only three pairs of prolegs. The genus was revised taxonomically by Barbut in 2008, clarifying species boundaries and distributions.
Rhodobaenus
Rhodobaenus is a genus of weevils containing at least 130 described species. These beetles are characterized by the elongated snout typical of the weevil family. The genus has been documented in North America, with records from the United States and Colombia. One species, Rhodobaenus quinquepunctatus, has been recorded as a pest of sunflowers in Texas.
Rhodobaenus quinquepunctatus
cocklebur weevil
A medium-sized weevil distinguished by its striking red-and-black spotted coloration. The cocklebur weevil is primarily known as a pest of sunflowers, where larvae tunnel through stalk pith and roots. Adults and larvae have been documented causing economic damage in agricultural settings, particularly in Texas sunflower production. The species is found throughout North America.
Smicronyx
seed weevils, sunflower seed weevils
Smicronyx is a large genus of true weevils (Curculionidae) containing over 220 described species distributed worldwide. Many species are specialized seed feeders, with several economically important members attacking cultivated sunflowers (Helianthus annuus) in North America. The genus includes gall-forming species and potential biological control agents for parasitic and invasive weeds. Larval development typically occurs within seeds or plant galls, with adults emerging to feed on pollen, buds, or foliage.
Smicronyx amoenus
Smicronyx amoenus is a species of true weevil in the beetle family Curculionidae, first described by Thomas Say in 1832. It is native to North America, with confirmed records from Canada (Manitoba, Saskatchewan) and the United States. Like other members of the genus Smicronyx, this species is associated with sunflower plants (Helianthus spp.), where adults feed on pollen and developing seeds. The larvae develop within sunflower seeds, making this and related species economically significant as pests of commercial sunflower cultivation.
Smicronyx compar
Smicronyx compar is a seed weevil in the family Curculionidae, described by Anderson in 1962. It belongs to a genus of small weevils associated with sunflower and other composite plant seeds. The species has been recorded in North America. Like other Smicronyx species, it likely develops within seeds of host plants, with larvae feeding internally on developing kernels.
Strauzia
Sunflower maggot flies
Strauzia is a genus of fruit flies in the family Tephritidae, first described by Robineau-Desvoidy in 1830. The genus contains approximately 12 described species, including the economically notable Strauzia longipennis (sunflower maggot), a pest of cultivated sunflower. Some species within the genus exhibit complex patterns of morphological variation and host association that have led to taxonomic instability, with evidence suggesting incipient speciation in certain populations.
Suleima
Suleima is a genus of tortricid moths in the subfamily Olethreutinae, established by Heinrich in 1923. The genus contains seven described species distributed in North America. Suleima helianthana, commonly known as the sunflower bud moth, is the best-known species due to its association with cultivated sunflowers and, more recently, sunchoke. Most species remain poorly studied with limited ecological data available.
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.
Systena blanda
palestriped flea beetle, Brown-necked Systena
Systena blanda is a small flea beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, commonly known as the palestriped flea beetle. Adults measure 3–4 mm and are agricultural pests of young sunflowers and other crops. The species has a broad geographic range spanning Central America, North America, and Oceania. Adults overwinter and emerge in late spring, feeding on leaf tissue and creating distinctive lace-like feeding damage.
Tanymecus
Tanymecus is a genus of broad-nosed weevils (Curculionidae) comprising at least 100 described species. The genus was established by Germar in 1817 and is classified in the subfamily Entiminae, tribe Tanymecini. Some species, such as Tanymecus dilaticollis, are recognized agricultural pests.