Pest Profile Photo credit: Frank Peairs, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org Common Name: Sunflower Moth Scientific Name: Homoeosoma electellum Order and Family: Lepidoptera: Pyralidae Size and Appearance: Length (mm) Appearance Egg 0.45 mm long, 0.3 mm wide 30 laid per day; hatch within 48-72 hours; found under the head prior to bloom. Larva/Nymph 19 mm long Pale yellow when newly hatched, darkening to purplish or reddish brown with white stripes running the length of the body; head capsule is brown; development takes 15-19 days. Adult 9.7 mm long, 19 mm wingspan Shiny grayish to grayish tan in color; cigar- shaped when at rest. Pupa (if applicable) Occurs in soil Type of feeder (Chewing, sucking, etc.): Larvae: chewing Host plant/s: Feed on developing seeds and heads of sunflowers, coneflowers, zinnia, and other related plants. Description of Damage (larvae and adults): Newly hatched larvae feed on pollen, later developmental stages feed on florets and developing seeds with some seed tunneling in later summer months. As the larvae move across the flower heads they leave trails of fine silk webbing, which collects plant debris and frass. Late stage larvae follow a hanging silken strand to the soil to pupate. Because the Sunflower Moth is both migratory and nocturnal, adults will arrive suddenly, and hide on the underside of leaves during the day. Surveillance is best conducted an hour after sunset when moth activity is high. References: Cranshaw, W. (2004). Chapter Five: Flower, Fruit, and Seed Feeders – Sunflower Moth. In Garden insects of North America: The ultimate guide to backyard bugs. (pp. 254). Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press. Michaud, J.P. (2013). Sunflower Moth. Kansas Crop Pests. Kansas State Research and Extension. https://www.bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/MF3108.pdf National Sunflower Association. (2016). Sunflower Moth. Retrieved from http://www.sunflowernsa.com/growers/insects/sunflower-moth/ .