Cucumber beetles (rootworms) are significant insect pests of sweet potatoes in Louisiana. Adults and larvae of these insects feed on sweet potatoes, but larvae are the most damaging. Descriptions of the banded cucumber beetle and the spotted cucumber beetle, as well as management strategies for these insects, are included in this publication. (PDF Format Only)

Results of surveys in Louisiana and North Carolina measuring impacts on sweet potato packing lines. The surveys were conducted as part of the USDA, CSREES, RAMP-funded Sweet potato IPM Project.

This publication deals with some of the insects that attack sweet potatoes in Louisiana. It covers such pests as beet armyworms, soybean loopers and cabbage loopers and includes background information, descriptions of the pests and details on the damage they can cause. PDF format only.

Sweet potatoes are subject to attack by soil and foliage insect species throughout the growing season. Sweet potato weevils may be a problem in storage. Insect damage causes economic losses in quality and overall yield, and growers sustain significant losses to root-feeding soil insects.

Contains selected information related to sweet potatoes from the LSU AgCenter Commercial Vegetable Production Recommendations.

This article describes types of beetles and the damage they cause.

Provides information related to sclerotial blight and circular spot in sweet potatoes.

Contains information related to insect pest management in sweet potato crops developed by the Sweet Potato Research station.

(Distributed 04/08/04) Two sweet potato varieties developed by the LSU AgCenter recently were awarded U.S. patents – the first ones given to sweet potatoes.