A Rough Sweetpotato Weevil
[Blosyrus asellus (Olivier)]
In November 2008, specimens of a weevil were collected at a sweet potato farm in Waipio on the island of Oahu and identified as Blosyrus asellus (Olivier), commonly known as a rough sweetpotato weevil.
Adults weevils are nocturnal and are difficult to detect in the field during the day. They hide among the foliage. When disturbed,they drop to the ground and remain motionless. With their brown color, they blend in well with the soil. Weevil grubs are in the soil associated with the storage root. Grooves created by the grubs are not apparent until the root is extracted. Feeding notches created by adults feeding along the edges of the leaves are indications that Blosyrus is in the area.
Surveys have revealed infestations of this weevil in central and windward areas of Oahu. It has not been detected on any of the other neighboring islands.
Suspected infestations of this weevil on islands other than Oahu should be reported to the State's toll-free Pest Hotline at 643-PEST (7378).
The following are links to information relating to the rough sweetpotato weevils:
