However, moths were detected in grassy margins around fields and occasional moths were detected in the fields. Scouting to determine levels of egg laying, hatching time, and larval age will be critical during the next two weeks. Sunflowers at risk will be in the bud stage. Unfortunately, there still is no responsive measures we can recommend that would provide consistent, economic control. Inspections of flowers in the next couple of weeks to determine if midge are present in the developing buds.
Females are slightly larger and more robust than the males and have a long telescoping ovipositor.
Larvae reach 2 mm in length, are creamy-white in color and appear somewhat flattened. Larvae often feed in clusters underneath the bracts surrounding the sunflower head and also in the center of the developing sunflower bud. Life Cycle Adults from the overwintering generation emerge from the soil in early to late July, move to sunflower, and oviposit first generation eggs. Some larvae of the first generation complete development and emerge as adults from mid August to early September to produce a partial second generation. Each adult lives one to two days.