Written collaboratively by Ruth Beck, Charles Bush, and Febina Mathew.
A guide depicting common stem diseases of Sunflower in South Dakota.
An identification guide to Common Stem Diseases of Sunflower in South Dakota
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Sunflower Pest Recap
During 2026, we will be producing a new weekly update on sunflower insect pest activity. This information will be attained via a sampling network of eight locations that are in central South Dakota.
Start Scouting Your Sunflower Fields for Red Sunflower Seed Weevil Presence
Red sunflower seed weevil adults have been detected in South Dakota. Current recommendations for management in both confection and oilseed sunflower is to begin treatment when the majority of the field has reached the R5.4 growth stage, but applications done between R5.1 and R5.4 can still provide yield protection.
To Avoid Loss of Viable Seeds This Year, Keep an Eye Out for Banded Sunflower Moths in Sunflower
Banded sunflower moths are active in South Dakota, which means it is time to start scouting sunflowers for their eggs. The caterpillars of banded sunflower moths are capable of reducing yields and oil content by feeding on the developing florets and tunneling into developing seeds.