Influence of Planting Date on Sunflower Stem Weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) Larval Density and Parasitism in Oilseed and Confection Sunflower in Western Kansas

Abstract

The sunflower stem weevil infests stalks of cultivated sunflower and can cause lodging resulting in loss of the head prior to harvest. Our objective was to determine whether altered planting periods could reduce weevil densities in confection and oilseed sunflower in the central High Plains production region. We evaluated impact of planting date by measuring larval density within sunflower stalks, larval parasitoid species present, and parasitization rates. Trials were conducted at Colby, KS from 1999 to 2001, with plots seeded in four planting periods. Results, although inconsistent over years and between the two sunflower types, showed that later planting dates reduced weevil density in stalks. Weevil numbers in stalks from the first seeding period until the last had decreased by 10% to 50%. The third planting date in each year coincided with cumulative degree-days (581) for the predicted emergence of 90% of adult sunflower stem weevils. Yields were not reduced as planting was delayed. Fewer weevils were observed in oilseed than in confection hybrids. Lower densities of sunflower stem weevils in the stalk can reduce losses from lodged plants. Seven hymenopteran parasitoid species were reared from sunflower stem weevil larvae. Nealiolus curculionis (Fitch) and Neocatolaccus tylodermae (Ashmead) were the most common species. Parasitization rates were low, but wasps actively attacked the weevil throughout the growing season. Research showed that delaying planting until after the early and later May planting periods reduced weevil densities in western Kansas.