Sunflower

All Sunflower Content

aerial view of South Dakota farm and surrounding land

Crops

During the growing season, SDSU Extension provides weekly production recommendations.

Small weevil covered in dense reddish-orange hairs sitting on a green leaf.

Trap Cropping as an Alternative Management Option for Red Sunflower Seed Weevils in the Dakotas

Learn how trap cropping can be used as an alternative management option for red sunflower seed weevils.

Sunflower moth, banded sunflower moth, and sunflower maggot adult.

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.

Planting Date and Early Maturing Hybrids as Alternative Management Options for Red Sunflower Seed Weevil

Planting dates and early maturing hybrids can be use as alternative management options for Red Sunflower Seed Weevils in South Dakota.

Black beetle covered in gray setae that has a black rostrum.

Gray Sunflower Seed Weevils

Factsheet on the lifecycle, identification, scouting and management of Gray Sunflower Seed Weevils.

Red-brown colored weevil with bent antennae originating on the elongated mouthparts.

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.

Cream colored moth with a dark brown band in the middle of its body.

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.

Sunflower & Oilseeds

There are times when sunflower producers need unbiased answers. That’s what we are here for.

a cream colored moth with a brown band around the middle of the body on a green leaf

Banded Sunflower Moth

Factsheet on the identification, lifecycle, scouting and economic impact of the Banded Sunflower Moth.

Sunflowers blooming in a South Dakota Field.

Sunflower Production: Late-Season Weed Escapes Should Guide Future Weed Management Plans

Many sunflower fields across the state are far enough along in their development that the window for preventing weeds with residual herbicides has passed. Weed escapes that remain in the field through the remainder of the growing season can contribute seed back to the soil seedbank.