The Sunflower Head-clipping Weevil is a small, metallic bronzy weevil whose female exhibits the bizarre behavior of cutting the stem below a sunflower head almost entirely through, causing it to droop, then laying an egg in the head so the larva can develop in the moist, fallen tissue. This unique behavior ensures optimal conditions for larval development. Males are smaller and do not clip.
Best time to see a Sunflower Head-clipping Weevil
The best time to see a Sunflower Head-clipping Weevil is July–August, when about 63% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 350 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Sunflower Head-clipping Weevil? What bug is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Sunflower Head-clipping Weevil sightings near you
Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.
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