The sunflower moth, Homoeosoma electellum (Hulst), is the primary pest of cultivated sunflowers in Kansas. Adult moths are believed to oviposit on sunflowers at the onset of flowering. The result is the presence of larvae that cause damage to seeds in sunflower heads and increase the incidence of Rhizopus head rot. Studies have shown that one larva per head can decrease yields by 8.8 pounds per acre. Timely insecticidal applications can be used to reduce the damage caused by the sunflower moth but are not effective after larvae enter the sunflower head. The timing of effective insecticidal applications is dependent upon knowing when the sunflower moths lay eggs.
Field studies conducted in Manhattan, Kansas in 2002 indicated that oviposition was greatest on sunflower heads exposed two weeks after the onset of flowering. These results were contradictory to those found in studies by DePew 25 years ago in Garden City, Kansas where the majority of eggs were deposited in the first week of flowering. In 2003, field studies were conducted at Manhattan to corroborate the 2002 results. In addition, the same study was conducted in Hays, Kansas to examine if results differed at different locations in Kansas.
Species 1: Lepidoptera Pyralidae Homoeosoma electellum (sunflower moth)
Keywords: oviposition behavior
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