Sunflower Seed Weevils and Their Control

Abstract
Larvae of Desmoris fulvus (Lec.) and D. constrictus (Say) damage sunflower seed by eating the kernel and cutting holes in the hulls. Both species have one brood a yr., winter over as larvae, usually in the soil, require about 8 days as pupae, and appear as adults when the first wild sunflowers bloom. Expts. with insecticides are reported. Tallness of commercial plants and long period of bloom made this control plan impracticable. Expts. in breeding and selection for resistance are recorded, with records showing seven strains relatively resistant, 2 particularly so.

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