Occasional pests of sweet potato

Abstract

The most serious insect pest of sweet potato (kaukau) is the sweet potato weevil  (see Entomology Bulletin No. 17 on pp. 90 - 93 of this issue), but several other insects are found on the leaves and in the vines. These 'occasional pests' can sometimes cause damage. The most common of these are described in this article, with short notes on their biology (where it is known), the damage they cause and where necessary, suitable control measures.