Pacific Pests, Pathogens and Weeds

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Summary

• Widespread distribution. Asia and Oceania. On sweetpotato and others in morning glory family.
• Eggs laid singly on leaves; larvae with 'anal fork' of previous skins and faeces; pupate on leaves; adults (5 mm) round, golden, with broad wing margins.
• Holes made in leaves as beetles feed. Effect on root yield is unknown, but unlikely to be high.
• Natural enemies: parasitic wasp and predators.
• Cultural control: do not plant new crops next to old; apply mulches, manures, fertilizers, water for rapid early growth; weed; collect/burn trash after harvest.
• Chemical control: PDPs: ash (or ash plus lime in water), derris, pyrethrum, or chilli; or synthetic pyrethroids, but likely to kill natural enemies.