There are several pests that can affect sweet potato crops, and their impact can vary depending on factors such as geography and farming practices. Below are some of the major pests that can affect sweet potatoes:
1. Sweet Potato Weevil (Cylas formicarius)
- Family: Brentidae
- Damaging Stage: Larvae and adults
- Nature of Damage: Feeding on sweet potato roots can cause stunted growth, wilting, and reduced yield.
- Oviposition and Pupation Site: Females lay eggs on sweet potato leaves, and larvae develop inside sweet potato roots.
- Management: Crop rotation, use of resistant varieties, and chemical control with insecticides.
2. White Grubs (Various species)
- Family: Scarabaeidae
- Damaging Stage: Larvae
- Nature of Damage: Feeding on sweet potato roots can cause reduced yield, stunted growth, and plant death.
- Oviposition and Pupation Site: Eggs are laid in soil, and larvae develop in soil, feeding on sweet potato roots.
- Management: Crop rotation, use of resistant varieties, and chemical control with insecticides.
3. Sweet Potato Butterfly (Acraea acerata)
- Family: Nymphalidae
- Damaging Stage: Larvae
- Nature of Damage: Feeding on sweet potato leaves can cause defoliation and reduced yield.
- Oviposition and Pupation Site: Females lay eggs on sweet potato leaves, and larvae develop on sweet potato leaves.
- Management: Crop rotation, use of resistant varieties, and chemical control with insecticides.
4. Sweet Potato Whitefly (Bemisia tabaci)
- Family: Aleyrodidae
- Damaging Stage: Adults and nymphs
- Nature of Damage: Feeding on sweet potato leaves can cause reduced yield, stunted growth, and plant death. It can also transmit plant viruses.
- Oviposition and Pupation Site: Eggs are laid on sweet potato leaves, and nymphs develop on sweet potato leaves.
- Management: Crop rotation, use of resistant varieties, and chemical control with insecticides.
5. Cutworms (Various species)
- Family: Noctuidae
- Damaging Stage: Larvae
- Nature of Damage: Feeding on sweet potato stems can cause plant death or reduced yield.
- Oviposition and Pupation Site: Eggs are laid in soil, and larvae develop in soil, feeding on sweet potato stems.
- Management: Crop rotation, use of resistant varieties, and chemical control with insecticides.
Management strategies for sweet potato pests can vary depending on the specific pest and local conditions. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies, which combine various management tactics, can be effective for controlling sweet potato pests while minimizing the use of pesticides. Cultural practices such as crop rotation and sanitation can also help reduce pest populations.
