Sunflowers are a popular and beautiful addition to any garden. They are known for their large, vibrant flowers, which can be seen blooming in many yards and gardens across the country. However, sunflowers are also vulnerable to pests that can cause damage to the plant or its flowers. In order to keep your sunflower blooms looking healthy and vibrant all season long, there are several things that you can do to protect them from these pests.
What To Spray On Sunflowers For Bugs
One of the most common pests found on sunflowers is aphids. Aphids are tiny bugs that feed off of plant sap and can cause damage if left untreated for too long. Luckily there are several ways that you can prevent aphids from infesting your sunflower plants without having to use harsh chemicals or pesticides. One way is by spraying them with water twice per day (morning and evening), which will help prevent them from spreading if they’re not already present on your plants yet still within their vicinity; this method works especially well if you have more than one type of flower in your yard so that you can keep track of which ones need attention more urgently based on how many bugs they contain.
Sunflowers are a popular garden plant, but they’re also one of the most vulnerable to pests. Whether you’re trying to keep your sunflower healthy or simply prevent it from dying, there are several steps you can take to protect your plant and keep it free from pests.
The best way to prevent pests from infecting your sunflower is by making sure you don’t bring them into your home. If you buy plants from the store, make sure they’re pest-free before bringing them home. Insecticides can be used on indoor plants if necessary, but they should only be sprayed on plants that are infested with bugs.
When you are growing sunflowers, there are many different types of bugs that can attack them. Some of these include Meccas spp., Longhorned beetle, and Ataxia Hubbard. You may also have to deal with Cutworms. Luckily, there are plenty of different products you can buy at your local garden center that can help you get rid of these pesky pests.
Mecas spp.
The first step in spraying sunflowers for Mecas spp is to inspect the sunflower plants. The larvae of sunflower aphids develop over several months. Most live inside the sunflower stalk, and some pupate in the head. The second generation appears in July and August.
The first sign of Meccas spp. is the development of girdles about a third of the way down a sunflower stalk. The larvae then burrow down the stem to the roots, causing the upper stalk to die. The larvae are white and burrow into the pith of the plant.
Cutworms
If your sunflowers are prone to cutworms, you may want to try to prevent them before they damage your plants. These pests are small, ranging from 1 to 11/2 inches long, and they have spots and stripes. They are most damaging to sunflowers during the early stages of development, when they are still growing, and they can cut off your plants at ground level or above it. You can look for larvae at the bottom of your plant stand or under the soil surface near where the damage has occurred.
You can control cutworms by using insecticides. You can also use insecticidal soaps to kill them, which is safe for pollinators. There are several species of cutworms that enjoy sunflower seedlings. Farmers often plant Helianthus around their fields to attract cutworms.
Longhorned beetle
If you’ve ever noticed a longhorned beetle on your sunflowers, you probably know it’s not a good sign. This insect can be quite destructive to your sunflower plants. The adult weevil is one to three/8 inches long and red with black spots. The larvae burrow into the plant’s stems and roots and leave a quarter-inch tunnel. You can spot the weevil by examining the stalk for feeding scars. A severe infestation can even cause the sunflowers to die. To reduce the damage, destroy the stalks.
Longhorned beetles are found in many locations, including sunflower fields. In Canada, they are sometimes a pest, especially to Canada’s thistle. This insect overwinters in Mexico and feeds on a variety of plants. The adults emerge in May and mate soon afterward. They lay their eggs in the stems and undersides of sunflower leaves.
Ataxia hubbardi
Ataxia hubbardi is a species of sunflower moth that can be detrimental to sunflower crops. During their larval stage, these insects feed on the aboveground stalks of sunflowers. When the weather turns cold, these moths descend to the roots of the plants.
This insect is not a serious pest of sunflowers and does not overwinter as some other species do. The larvae are active all year round and do not girdle the stalks. However, the larvae of this species are very similar to those of the species Dectes texanus, which is more damaging to sunflowers.
Cylindrocopturus adspersus
The true weevil Cylindrocopturus adspersus is a pest in cultivated sunflowers. Its larvae tunnel into the stems of the plant. As it feeds on the plant’s foliage and flowers, it can cause extensive damage. In addition, this pest can also spread disease and disrupt crops.
In North America, C. adspersus is one of two species that cause significant economic damage. It can damage crops by lodging in weakened plants and boring stems, and it can promote the growth of fungi. Control measures include using insecticides and traps. It can also be controlled through natural means by defoliating crops and using crop protection techniques.
This pest is found in most parts of North America. Its range has expanded from the primary production areas of North Dakota and Minnesota southward. It has also made its way to areas of Colorado, Kansas, and Nebraska. It is a brown insect, about 0.5 cm long, and spotted with white. Adult weevils appear between April and June and feed on stem and leaf tissue. However, the damage caused by adults is minimal.
Ataxia hubbardi larvae
A recent study found that Ataxia hubbardi larvae feed on sunflowers in Kansas. The larvae, which are usually large, feed on the pith of sunflower plants. Interestingly, these larvae do not girdle in the fall, which would cut off their winter food supply before their growth and development are complete. These larvae are widespread in wild sunflowers, and they can live in multiple generations on a single plant. The large primary larvae feed in the lower branches of a sunflower plant, while smaller larvae feed on the upper branches.
The life cycle of Ataxia hubbardi is similar to that of D. texanus, but the larvae of Ataxia hubbardi emerge a week earlier in the spring. Their eggs are resistant to desiccation and hatch out of the plant tissue. This makes them a strong competitor in the field. In fact, their larvae are larger and more aggressive than those of D. texanus, and can completely destroy a sunflower plant.
Mecas spp. larvae
Spraying sunflowers is an effective way to prevent damage by cutworm larvae. The larvae of this pest are about an inch long, and they are typically found on the soil surface and under the plant’s roots. The larvae often feed on seeds, which can cause the plants to die. These larvae can also feed on young plant stems and seeds near the soil line. In Kansas, the treatment threshold is one larva or more per square foot.
Fortunately, the larvae of Meccas spp. are small, about half an inch long, and gray in color. They burrow deep into the pith of sunflower plants and produce two girdles about a third of the way up the stalk. Once a sunflower plant is infested with Meccas spp. larvae, the upper stalk begins to die. Eggs are laid just below the stem surface and above the lower girdle. Once mature, Meccas spp. larvae burrow through the pith and the root systems of the plants.
Mecas spp. pupae
In late summer and early fall, Meccas spp. larvae feed on sunflowers and then enter the soil to pupate in earthen cells. The pupal stage can last between 10 and 2 weeks. Later, the adults emerge and feed on the upper leaves and bracts of the sunflower plant. In the northern Great Plains, this insect produces only one generation a year.
Adult root weevils emerge late in June or early July and feed on the sunflower foliage in the morning and late afternoon. Two weeks after emergence, they congregate near the root zone. This activity produces callus tissue. During the same time, bright yellow eggs are deposited on the plant’s foliage. When the eggs hatch, the larvae feed on the cortical and epidermal cells in the root. They develop in the same location where the eggs were laid.
Homemade insecticides
A homemade insecticide can be an effective way to prevent aphids and ants from ruining your sunflowers. You can use dishwashing soap or hot pepper sauce to spray the sunflower leaves and flowers. Another natural pesticide is neem oil, which can be applied as a soil drench or foliar spray. This organic pesticide is toxic to insects and will prevent them from ruining your sunflowers. Diatomaceous earth can also be sprayed around your sunflower plants to prevent insects from eating your crop.
Homemade insecticides are safe and effective and can be made from soap and water. Apply this solution to both sides of the leaves every three days or as necessary until frost. Then, wait a few days before applying for another application.
Double-sided tape
A double-sided tape is a great tool for keeping insects away from your sunflowers. The sticky tape will deter insects from climbing up and destroying your plants. You can use it to stick to your plants, or you can place it on the plants themselves. You can also place bait stations with sweet ant bait at the base of your sunflower plants, which will help to gradually eliminate the entire colony.
Another great way to keep bugs away from your sunflowers is by covering them with medical gauze. The sticky tape will trap predatory insects and keep them from damaging your sunflowers. A few of the most common pests that can damage your sunflower plants are stem maggots and sunflower borers. These insects can kill your sunflower plants if they attack in large numbers. These pests can be difficult to get rid of once they show up in large numbers, but double-sided sticky tape can be used to cover the plant and keep predators away.