Suleima helianthana

Status

NATIVE

DOMESTIC SURVEY

Taxonomy

Suleima helianthana (Riley) (Tortricidae: Olethreutinae: Eucosmini)

Common name: sunflower bud moth

Adult Recognition

FWL: 6.5–9.0 mm

Head, thorax ashy gray-brown; forewing with ground color light tan to ashy gray-brown; dark dashes present between costal strigulae; ocellus well-defined, creamy white; dark brown fasciae fading towards costa, leaving two distinct marks along the inner margin; male without forewing costal fold; hindwing of both sexes pale brown.

Male genitalia are characterized by a weakly developed uncus and socii; valvae broad, with spine-like setae present along distal margin. Female genitalia are characterized by a semi-cylindrical sterigma; an elongate sclerotized patch on the ductus bursae; and two signa in the corpus bursae.

Larval Morphology

The following account is summarized from Satterthwait (1948)Satterthwait (1948):
Satterthwait, A. F. 1948. Important sun flower insects and their insect enemies. Journal of Economic Entomology. 41: 725-731. and MacKay (1959)MacKay (1959):
MacKay, M. R. 1959. Larvae of the North American Olethreutidae (Lepidoptera). Canadian Entomologist, Supplement 10: 1-338..

Mature larva 8–15 mm in length; width of head 1.2–1.5 mm; head, prothoracic shield, legs dark brown; anal shield light pale brown; body pale to whitish, with short red-brown setae; SV group on A1, 2, 7, 8, 9 typically 2:2:2:1:1, but occasionally 2:2:2:2:1.

Detailed figures of larval chaetotaxy are available in MacKay (1959)MacKay (1959):
MacKay, M. R. 1959. Larvae of the North American Olethreutidae (Lepidoptera). Canadian Entomologist, Supplement 10: 1-338..

Similar Species

Several other species of Suleima feed on Helianthus, but adults are fairly distinct from S. helianthana. More likely to be confused are Pelochrista consobrinana, Pelochrista pulveratana, and Eucosma tomonana. Examination of the genitalia is likely required for most specimens.

Distribution

Suleima helianthana is broadly distributed in North America, from New York and southern Ontario to South Dakota and south to Florida, Mexico, and California.

Biology

The following account is summarized from Satterthwait (1948)Satterthwait (1948):
Satterthwait, A. F. 1948. Important sun flower insects and their insect enemies. Journal of Economic Entomology. 41: 725-731..

In most areas where this species occurs, there are two generations per year, but more may occur in Texas, Florida, and Mexico. In the northern portion of the range, eggs are laid early in May, on or near terminal or tender auxiliary buds, on which early instar larvae feed as leaf miners. Later instars bore in buds, bracts, and seeds. Complete development of the larva averages about 40 days, but varies according to temperature. Pupation takes place in a cocoon constructed within the feeding cavity. Adults eclose approximately one week later. The second generation of adults flies from late August through September, during which mating and oviposition occurs. Overwintering occurs as a mature larva. 

The primary host is sunflower (Helianthus spp.), of which larvae can be serious pests, but have also been recorded on bitterweed (Hymenoxys sp.) and large-flowered tickseed (Coreopsis grandiflora). All three hosts are in the Asteraceae.

Plant Associations

View full screen host table here

Links

Additional photos and a distribution map of this species in North America are available at Moth Photographers Group.