Coneflower Damage from Sunflower Head-Clipping Weevil
Clipped and dangling coneflowers, sunflowers, and some of the other members of the aster family mean the sunflower head-clipping weevil is busy at work in your garden.
The shiny black weevil feeds about 1 to 1 ½ inches below the flower. They eat a ring of small holes around most of the flower stem. Enough tissue remains so the flower head falls over yet it hangs on a thin bit of tissue. The female enters the flower to feed on the pollen and lay eggs. The flower eventually falls to the ground, eggs hatch and the immature weevil, a worm-like larvae, moves into the ground for winter. Next spring the larvae pupates, then transforms into a weevil and starts feeding on the flower stems in mid-summer.
Remove clipped flower heads from the plant and drop them in a can of soapy water. This kills the adult weevil and reduces the risk of future infestations.
A bit more information: Fortunately this pest is not life threatening, just annoying. Once discovered, monitor plantings to minimize damage and further reduce future infestations.
Related
Audio
Categories
Upcoming Webinars & Appearances
June is National Pollinator Month!
CLICK HERE for pollinator gardening webinars, videos & DIY projects
August 4 - 14
Wisconsin State Fair
Watch Melinda's past webinars ON DEMAND
Learn More
Book an Appearance
Enter to Win
The Great Courses' How to Grow Anything: Make Your Trees and Shrubs Thrive DVD set
