Description of Damage by Larvae of the Spotted Cucumber Beetle, Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardi (Coleptera: Chrysomelidae) to Sweetpotato, Ipomoea batatas (L.) (Solanales: Convolvulaceae), Roots

The larvae of the spotted cucumber beetle (Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardi Barber [Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae]) are damaging pests of sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas [L.] [Solanales: Convolvulaceae]) roots. Because this assumption was not documented, laboratory trials were conducted to determine if spotted cucumber beetle larvae can feed and develop on sweetpotato roots. Results showed that all stages of spotted cucumber beetle larvae could survive on sweetpotato roots when given no other food choice, and that root damage resembled that described for larvae of other coleopteran sweetpotato pests.