Madison Messenger - August 15th, 2021

PAGE 4 - MADISON MESSENGER - August 15, 2021
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Sunflower head-clipping weevils now in central Ohio
A native insect getting
some attention
lately is the sunflower
head-clipping weevil,
one of the silphium
ask a master gardener
Jane Kutzley
weevils (as they are most active on plants in the silphium genus).
Head-clippers have been expanding their range in recent years and,
unfortunately, can now be found in central Ohio.
The sunflower head-clipping weevil does exactly what its name
implies, except it is interested in lots more than just sunflowers.
Coneflowers, compass plant, prairie dock and all members of the
aster family are the most attractive to head-clippers. The weevil is
about one-quarter-inch long and either shiny black or bronzy-brown.
The snout is more elongated than most weevils.
The mode of action for this insect is simple and effective. The female
chooses a flower in full bloom, then inserts her snout into the
stem an inch or several below the flower. She chews a ring of holes
around the stem and
may ultimately make
several rings around
the stem at varying
distances from the
flower head. Eventually, the
stem is so weakened it breaks.
The flower head is left dangling
by thin bands of unchewed tissue.
Once the flower head is dangling,
the weevil and many of
her friends lay eggs on it. Soon,
the flower head falls to the
ground, leaving behind stems
that stick up like soda straws.
Once on the ground, the weevil
Sunflowers are susceptible to
sunflower head-clipping weevils,
now found in central Ohio.
eggs hatch and begin feeding on the decaying
flower head. Ultimately, the larvae drop
to the soil and burrow in to spend the winter.
The cycle starts over in late June or
July when the adult weevil leaves the soil.
Control by removal is the best practice.
Dangling flower heads should be cut off
below the bend and disposed of (do not compost).
Clean up fallen heads quickly. The
goal is to prevent reinfestation. Insecticidal
sprays are not an option because more vulnerable
and desirable pollinators will be
harmed.
Jane Kutzley is a Madison County Master
Gardener. For more information about Master
Gardeners, call the OSU Extension-Madison
County at (740) 852-0975.
Weed control depends on regular maintenance
Weeding is part of
maintaining a garden,
and the more regularly
and consistently you
weed, the easier and
quicker it is.
ask a master gardener
Barbara Myers
Weeding is removing unwanted plants from the ones you want.
You decide what a weed is. If a tomato sprouts in the compost you
spread around your roses, you will probably pull that tomato out.
Don’t be afraid to remove a “good” plant if it’s not where you want
it. You want plants to attain their full growth and maturity, and
weeds steal sunlight, moisture, and other resources from the plants
you want to grow.
The best time to weed is when the soil is moist and the weeds
are very small. If you make weeding part of your daily stroll through
the garden, you can spot and remove them as you monitor for pests
and harvest crops.
The best tool for weeding is your hand. The best way to prevent
weeds is to leave no bare earth. Space plants close together so they
shade the ground between them, and mulch the soil. Most weed
seeds need light to germinate, so these two practices go a long way
in minimizing weed eruption from the soil. Also avoid disturbing
the soil when possible, as this brings new weed seeds to the surface
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where they can germinate
and flourish.
Work especially
hard to remove the
roots of perennial
weeds, as they will often resprout
from root pieces left behind.
Above all, don’t let any
weeds go to seed, as that will
only increase your weeding next
year.
Weeds seem harmless when
they are small, but that is when
they are most easily defeated. A
good rain followed by a hot spell
means a sudden growth spurt
for the weeds, and suddenly a
task of a few minutes becomes a
Cookies
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The best time to weed is when
the soil is moist and the weeds
are very small.
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big chore that you put off. Remove weeds
when they are small, daily if you can, and
weeding will be no big deal.
The most important thing to keep in
mind when weeding is that there are many
solutions to effectively weed your garden,
but consistency is the key. Whether this is
hand weeding, controlling weeds with film,
or chemical means, finding the best solution
for your garden and consistently sticking to
it will give you a healthy, weed-free growing
environment for your plants.
Source: Burpee.com
Barbara Myers is a Madison County Master
Gardener. For more information about Master
Gardeners, call the OSU Extension-Madison
County at (740) 852-0975.
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