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Sunflower Maggot Larva
An insect pest found in sunflower heads at generally low levels is the larva of the sunflower maggot. Three species are present in North Dakota, with the most common being Neotephritis finalis.
The larva of N. finalis causes damage by feeding on disk flowers and eventual losses of 1 to 12 seeds. The larva is legless, off- white in color, and reaches a maximum length of 0.2 inches. The total larval period is 14 days.
Two complete generations of N. finalis occur per year in North Dakota. The first generation pupates in the head and the second generation overwinters in the soil in the pupa stage. The larva in a sunflower head will pupate in copper-colored cases or cocoons.
No economic threshold has been established and insecticide treatment is not recommended for the sunflower maggot.
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