Diseases such as Sclerotinia also are present. After flowering and during the seed development stage there are usually few pest problems. Most insecticides that are used are for pests at the establishment stage. Seeds are usually treated to prevent damage from birds. If there have been problems in the past the pellets are used as a preventative treatment on seedlings rather than waiting for damage to appear.
Cutworms are occasional pests that are treated with pyrethroids to limit the amount of damage.
In the northern growing regions of France, after plant emergence, if the crop has not received a seed treatment, it is often necessary to control leaf curling plum aphids. Various labelled insecticides are used. If early and severe attack is observed, farmers must react quickly to avoid losses. Because of interest in other crops such as rapeseed, little research is being conducted on sunflower insects. We have an interest in Baris strenua because of a related pest on rapeseed, Baris coerulescens.