Cassava
Guides
Aleurotrachelus
Aleurotrachelus is a genus of whiteflies (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) established by Quaintance & Baker in 1914. Several species are economically significant agricultural pests. Aleurotrachelus socialis is a major pest of cassava in South America, causing yield losses up to 79% through direct feeding and sooty mold promotion. Aleurotrachelus trachoides, known as the solanum or pepper whitefly, attacks Solanaceae crops including tomato, eggplant, chili, and sweet potato across tropical and subtropical regions. Aleurotrachelus atratus infests palms, particularly coconut, and has spread to islands in the southwestern Indian Ocean. Species in this genus are characterized by distinct puparial morphology used in taxonomic identification.
Asciodes
Asciodes is a genus of snout moths (Crambidae: Spilomelinae) containing five described species. The genus was established by Guenée in 1854 with Asciodes gordialis as the type species. Species are distributed across the Americas from the southern United States through the Caribbean to South America. Larvae of at least some species feed on plants in the order Caryophyllales.
Elope sphinx
Alope sphinx
Erinnyis alope is a sphinx moth (Sphingidae) distributed across the Neotropics from northern South America through Central America to northern Mexico and the southern United States. The species has been recorded as a stray as far north as Arkansas and Kansas. Two subspecies are recognized: the nominate E. a. alope and E. a. dispersa endemic to the Galápagos Islands. The species is considered an agricultural pest, with larvae feeding principally on pawpaw (Carica papaya), and also recorded on rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) and cassava (Manihot esculenta).
Erinnyis
Erinnyis is a genus of sphinx moths (Sphingidae) established by Jacob Hübner in 1819, containing approximately 11 species distributed across the Americas. Several species, notably E. ello and E. alope, are significant agricultural pests whose larvae feed on economically important plants including cassava, rubber, and papaya. The genus is characterized by medium to large hawkmoths with robust bodies and relatively narrow forewings. Eggs of E. ello are known to be parasitized by multiple Trichogramma wasp species.
Erinnyis ello
ello sphinx
Erinnyis ello, the ello sphinx, is a sphingid moth distributed from Argentina through Central America to the United States. The species was first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1758. It is a significant agricultural pest, particularly of cassava, and has been extensively studied for its parasitoid relationships. Two subspecies are recognized: E. e. ello throughout the Americas and E. e. encantada endemic to the Galápagos Islands.
Lagocheirus araneiformis
Spider Longhorned Beetle, Cassava Borer, Almácigo Borer
Lagocheirus araneiformis is a longhorn beetle in the subfamily Lamiinae, described by Linnaeus in 1767. It reaches 20–28 mm in length with grey-brown coloration. The species is widely distributed across the Americas and has been recorded as a pest of cassava and sugarcane. Multiple subspecies have been described from Caribbean islands and other regions.
Vatiga
cassava lace bugs
Vatiga is a genus of lace bugs (family Tingidae) containing approximately 11 described species. The genus is native to the Neotropical region and has become economically significant as an invasive pest in cassava-growing regions worldwide. Species in this genus are highly host-specific, feeding exclusively on cassava (Manihot esculenta). The most extensively studied species are Vatiga illudens and Vatiga manihotae, which have been introduced to Indonesia and Africa, posing threats to food security in these regions.