The sunflower moth (Homoeosoma electellum)???

Yes nevermore44 as I did mention in my initial post. Do you know of ways to eradicate this pest w/o harming the beneficial insects that are attracted to coneflowers?

Does it destroy the flowers before they open up? I have seen some type of larva in my coneflowers that burrow and I think destroy the seeds but they don't seem to ruin the flowers so I have left them alone. I suspect the finches eat the worms along with the seeds. I do still get a few seeds and volunteers. You may have a different pest than I do though.
I am having a similar dilemma with my salvia plants. There is a moth larva that destroys the buds before the flowers open up so I get very few blooms. I planted the salvia for hummingbirds and butterflies so I don't want to spray pesticide on them and I'm at a loss on what to do. So far I've left those alone too. It's ruining my 'Black and Blue' and others.

Don't use any systemics on the plants, that will also kill the bees and butterflies that feed on the nectar in the blooms.

The sunflower moths aren't typically that destructive besides to the individual cone. So I'd just stick with deadheading any blooms you see an issue with.

That was my thought. another reason to deadhead conflowers

question? wharn are the eggs that turm into larvae deposited by parent insect?

is there a window of opportunity to deadhead that would remive the largest number of pedts. regardless of stage of development? sorry for spelling errors. i have crooked fingerd from arthritis. sometimes im simply careless and lazy!! ( this sentence is a good ex of this)