SWEETPOTATO WEEVIL,
Cylas formicarius elegantulus
(Summers)
Description
Picture
Damage
adults are about 1/4 inch long and ant-like in appearance
head, snout and wings are a dark metallic blue and thorax and legs are bright red-orange
larvae are legless grubs almost 1/2 inch long when full grown
white with brown heads
Photo credit: Extension Entomology, Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University
larvae tunnel through tubers, causing discoloration
impart a bitter taste to the tuber
infested sweet potatoes are unfit for human consumption
Photo credit: Extension Entomology, Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University