David Owens, Extension Entomologist, owensd@udel.edu
I am looking for dove hunting plots that partially border full season soybean. Dectes stem borer is a potential pest of soybean that is highly attracted to sunflower, so much so that several entomologists believe that it can prevent Dectes from causing damage to adjacent soybean. Also check your sunflowers for defoliation from thistle caterpillars. It is unusual to cause problems, but I looked at a small planting earlier today that had some heavy defoliation, along with deer damage.