The sunflower stem weevil, Cylindrocopturus adspersus (LeConte), is a pest of cultivated sunflower in the major production areas of North and South Dakota, Minnesota, and Texas. Adults appeared in sunflower plots between 5 and 25 June in 1980–1985, when plants had 4–14 leaves. Oviposition began soon after adults were present and continued into late August. Peak densities of both eggs and adults occurred in mid-July. Larvae hatched between 6 and 11 July, when plants were in the early flower bud growth stages. Larvae fed in the sunflower stalk and moved to the stalk base or root crown to construct overwintering chambers. The seasonal patterns of the weevil’s life stages in 6 years were similar, but population densities varied. Regression equations were developed to predict larval numbers in stalks from number of adults to aid in making control decisions.