Cylas formicarius (Linnaeus)

Taxonomic position

Insecta: Coleoptera: Curculionoidea: Brentidae: Apioninae: Apionini

Common name

Sweetpotato weevil

Diagnosis

Body elongate, head and abdomen piceous to black, elytra black with faint metallic bluish reflection, antennae, pronotum and legs reddish yellow. Antenna inserted near middle of rostrum, 10-segmented, with short scape, female antenna with a short, oval club, male antenna with club longer than the rest of the segments. Mesothoracic spiracles situated in deep lateral pits between the posterior margin of prothorax. Mesocoxae separated by junction between mesosternal intercoxal process and intercoxal process of metasternum.

Habitat / Crop(s) damaged

The beetle feeds on several plants in the family Convolvulaceae, primarily those belonging to the genus Ipomoea. It is a serious pest of sweetpotato, I. batatas.

Pest status

A serious pest of sweetpotato.

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