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ARS Home » Plains Area » Fargo, North Dakota » Edward T. Schafer Agricultural Research Center » Sunflower and Plant Biology Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #389371
Research Project: Genetic Enhancement of Sunflower Yield and Tolerance to Biotic Stress

Location: Sunflower and Plant Biology Research

Title: Overwintering, freezing point, and thermal biology of the red sunflower seed weevil, Smicronyx fulvus LeConte

Author
item PANTZKE, SHAWNA - North Dakota State University
item Rinehart, Joe
item Prasifka, Jarrad
item Yoshimura Ferguso, Mary
item PRISCHMANN-VOLDSETH, DEIRDRE - North Dakota State University

Submitted to: National Entomological Society of America Annual Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/29/2021
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The red sunflower seed weevil, Smicronyx fulvus LeConte, is a seed-feeding pest of cultivated sunflower. This univoltine pest overwinters in the soil as a fifth instar. Growers typically manage S. fulvus exclusively with insecticides, but some cultural practices such as modified planting dates may also be useful. In 2019 and 2020, sunflower heads were artificially infested with adult weevils to produce larvae for experiments on freezing point and overwintering depth. Freezing point and overwintering depth data were collected at four times in the overwintering period. These studies are intended to provide a better understanding of insect behavior and biology to aid in the development of non-insecticidal management options for S. fulvus.