Key factors involved in reduction of damage to sunflower by the European sunflower moth in China through late planting

The European sunflower moth, Homoesoma nebulellum (Denis et Schiffermüller), emerged as a major new pest in Bayannur, China, in 2006. Insecticidal control with a single application is problematic because timing is critical, and multiple applications increase production and environmental costs. Management of H. nebulellum by planting date adjustment can be effective, but the optimal time window for late planting is unknown. Natural levels of H. nebulellum infestation were compared among sunflowers planted on five dates from April 25 to June 5 in two years, and the relationship between timing of adult abundance and flowering assessed. Delaying planting of sunflower from the traditional planting period of April 25 –May 5 to May 15 –June 5 significantly decreased damage by H. nebulellum. Seed infestation rate was 30–40 times higher, and number of larvae/head 75–100 times higher in the earliest two plantings than in the latest two. Within two years of implementing delayed planting in Bayannur city, infestation area decreased from 72% in 2006 to 1.5% in 2008, and production losses decreased from 4.5 ton/ha in 2006 to 0.36 ton/ha in 2008, a 97% decrease compared to 2006. Moreover, the infestation area caused by H. nebulellum was continuously controlled below 5.3% of the planting area since 2008. We found the overlap between the first two days of flowering and peak adult presence was the key factor influencing level of damage caused by H. nebulellum. Because the number of eggs laid in the first two days of flowering accounted for 68% of the total, and sunflower seed infestation rate was positively correlated with the number of trapped adults weighted by proportion of daily oviposition. Oviposition of the majority of eggs in the first two days of flowering suggests an evolutionary mechanism whereby females choose host plants most conducive to larval development, consistent with the preference-performance hypothesis.

Capitate Glandular Trichomes Fail to Provide Significant Resistance to Banded Sunflower Moth (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

Extracts from capitate glandular trichomes (CGT) of wild and cultivated sunflowers, Helianthus spp., have repellent or toxic effects on sunflower specialists and generalist herbivores less closely associated with sunflower. Though CGT have been primarily examined for their potential to provide partial resistance to the sunflower moth, Homoeosoma electellum Hulst (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), a floret- and seed-feeding pest, the banded sunflower moth (Cochylis hospes Walsingham [Lepidoptera: Tortricidae]) is a similar species more common in the primary sunflower-producing states of North Dakota and South Dakota. Replicated field trials using partially inbred lines with low or high CGT densities were used to evaluate possible reductions to seed damage by C. hospes larvae in 2016–2017. Results failed to support the idea that CGT are a useful defense against larvae of C. hospes; the putative plant defense of high trichome density corresponded to slightly more, rather than less, insect damage. A test of a secondary explanation, that strength of sunflower hulls could help determine patterns of seed damage among tested lines, produced similarly negative results. Though timing of bloom differed between groups of most- and least-damaged lines, prior research and pheromone-trapping data suggest differences in plant maturity also cannot adequately explain the observed results. While the specific mechanisms remain unclear, significant differences in susceptibility to C. hospes exist for cultivated sunflower and limit losses from this primary insect pest.

Genetic variability and structure of populations of Homoeosoma nebulella (Denis et Schiffermüller) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in northern China

In recent years, there have been significant outbreaks of the European sunflower moth (ESM) Homoeosoma nebulella in northern China, causing enormous agricultural losses to local farmers. Although some control measures have been investigated, there is limited knowledge about genetic structure among ESM populations which may be related to pest outbreak. In this study, we analyzed the genetic variation and genetic structure of ESM. Our results showed that genetic differentiation was low among populations (2.73%), while it was high within individuals (60.73%), and among individuals within populations (32.59%). Dendograms based on Fst and genetic distance revealed that populations from Inner Mongolia and Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region were first clustered and subsequently grouped with populations from Heilongjiang province. The outbreaks of ESM in Inner Mongolia may be caused by dispersal of ESM from Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.

The sunflower moth, Homoeosoma nebulella (Denis et Schiffermüller ) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae): outbreaks and pest management in Linhe, Inner Mongolia 2007–2008

Sunflowermoth Homoeosoma nebulella is the most common pest of sunflowers (Helianthus annuus L.) in China. A large outbreak involving H. nebulella was discovered in Linhe of the Mongolia Autonomous Region in 2007. Different issues related to pest management were investigated in 2007–2008. Irrigation for overwintering could promote pest outbreak in the following year. It is the safest practice to sow from mid-May to mid-June, i.e. not too early. The quantity of larvae could be reduced by the treatment with Bacillus thuringiensis. The effective pest management should include selecting proper sowing date, non-irrigation and B. thuringiensis treatment. Sex pheromone trapping as a potential control measure requires further studies.

Cochylis hospes (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) damage to male lines varies significantly and inbred susceptibility predicts damage to hybrids

Larvae of Cochylis hospes (Walsingham) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) (banded sunflower moth) are a primary source of insect damage to seeds of cultivated sunflower, Helianthus annuus Linnaeus (Asteraceae), in North America. Field trials were used to evaluate seed damage under natural infestations for panels of publicly released male lines, publicly derived hybrids (females crossed to one common male parent), and commercial hybrids over a total of four years. For trials in 2013–2014 including 17 male lines, seed damage ranged from 3% to 19%. The least damaged male, RHA 266, was statistically similar to one other male, RHA 455. Three commercial hybrids used as checks also received very little seed damage (< 5%). In trials during 2016–2017, hybrids created by pollinating 15 different female lines with RHA 266 showed 4–14% damage. Data from female parents explained about 28% of variation in seed damage for the hybrids. Results confirm cultivated sunflower has greater variation in susceptibility to C. hospes than previously believed, and that seed damage to inbred lines provides some predictive power for hybrids. Though breeding for resistance to C. hospes seems possible, it may be too labour-intensive without relating resistance to more easily measurable traits or genetic markers.

Sunflower Moth (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) Biology, Ecology, and Management

Sunflower moth, Homoeosoma electellum (Hulst) is an important insect pest of cultivated sunflower in North America. In this review, we outline sunflower moth life history and biology and describe direct and indirect crop injury to cultivated sunflower. Pest management strategies for sunflower moth are discussed including proper field scouting, pheromone trapping, use of economic thresholds and biological control, cultural control, host plant resistance and chemical control for incorporation into an integrated pest management (IPM) program.