Widespread damage by insect pests in Highlands sweet potato gardens

Abstract

Because of frost and drought, 1972 has been a very bad year for sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas), particularly in the Highlands. This is very serious as sweet potato (kaukau) is the major food item of subsistence farmers in most parts of Papua New Guinea. In many areas, the situation has been made worse by damage caused by two insect pests, the sweet potato weevil, and the sweet potato leaf miner. This article describes the damage done by these two insects, and outlines DASF’s recommendations for their control.