Convolvulaceae
Guides
Adaina ipomoeae
Pork Vine Plume Moth
Adaina ipomoeae is a small plume moth in the family Pterophoridae, distributed across the Caribbean and Florida. Adults have a wingspan of 11–13 mm with pale ochreous forewings marked with dark brown patterns. The species is known to be active in January, August, and October. Larvae feed on morning glory relatives Ipomoea tiliacea and Merremia umbellata.
Agrius cingulata
pink-spotted hawkmoth, sweetpotato hornworm
Agrius cingulata is a large sphingid moth with broad neotropical distribution extending northward through migratory behavior. Adults are nocturnal nectar feeders with exceptionally long proboscises, while larvae are robust hornworms that feed voraciously on Convolvulaceae, particularly sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas), causing significant agricultural damage. The species has been documented as a "nectar thief" of rare orchids, removing nectar without providing pollination services.
Bactericera maculipennis
psyllid, jumping plant louse
Bactericera maculipennis is a psyllid species in the family Triozidae, native to western North America. It is a confirmed vector of 'Candidatus' Liberibacter solanacearum, the bacterium that causes zebra chip disease in potatoes. The species develops primarily on plants in the Convolvulaceae family, with field records documenting association with Convolvulus arvensis (field bindweed) throughout the western United States. Unlike the related potato psyllid B. cockerelli, B. maculipennis has not been documented as a direct economic threat to solanaceous crops, though it shares pathogen reservoirs with that species.
Bedelliidae
Bedelliidae is a small family of microlepidoptera containing the single genus Bedellia. These narrow-winged moths were previously classified within Lyonetiidae. The family is best known for the sweet potato leafminer Bedellia somnulentella, an invasive agricultural pest that feeds on Convolvulaceae.
Chelymorpha
Argus tortoise beetles, tortoise beetles
Chelymorpha is a genus of tortoise beetles in the family Chrysomelidae, subfamily Cassidinae, containing more than 70 described species distributed primarily in the Americas. These beetles are characterized by their domed, tortoise-like body form with the elytra and prothorax forming a protective shield that can be drawn down to cover the head and appendages when disturbed. The genus exhibits extensive intraspecific color polymorphism, with some species showing remarkable variation in elytral coloration and maculation patterns. Chelymorpha species are predominantly associated with plants in the family Convolvulaceae, particularly morning glories (Ipomoea) and bindweeds (Convolvulus), though some species utilize other host plants. The genus has been extensively studied for its Wolbachia endosymbiont infections, color polymorphism maintenance, and larval defensive behaviors including cycloalexy.
Chelymorpha cassidea
Argus tortoise beetle, milkweed tortoise beetle
Chelymorpha cassidea is a large tortoise beetle native to North America and the Caribbean, measuring 9–12 mm in length. Adults display variable coloration from yellow to bright red with black spots, and possess a distinctive ability to extend their red head beyond the pronotum, creating an appearance likened to the mythological figure Argus. Both larvae and adults feed on foliage of Convolvulaceae plants, including morning glory and sweet potato, and are capable of defoliating entire plants. The species overwinters as pupae in soil and emerges in mid-summer.
Chelymorpha phytophagica
Chelymorpha phytophagica is a species of tortoise beetle in the leaf beetle family Chrysomelidae. The species is distributed across Central America and North America. Two subspecies are recognized: C. p. luteata and C. p. phytophagica. Like other members of the genus Chelymorpha, this species is associated with plants in the family Convolvulaceae, including morning glories and related vines.
Cyladini
Cyladini is a tribe of weevils in the family Brentidae, subfamily Apioninae. The tribe includes economically significant pests of sweet potato, particularly the sweetpotato weevil (Cylas formicarius), which causes substantial damage to storage roots in tropical and subtropical production regions. Members of this tribe are characterized by their association with Convolvulaceae host plants and their status as specialized root-feeding pests.
pestagriculturesweet-potatoConvolvulaceaeintegrated-pest-managementCylas-formicariustropical-agriculturesubtropical-agricultureroot-feeding-weevilstorage-root-damageeconomic-pestbiological-controlcrop-protectionsoutheastern-United-Statesglobal-food-securitylow-input-farmingdrought-tolerant-cropnematode-interactionsBeauveria-bassianaentomopathogenic-nematodesresistant-varietiescrop-rotationcover-cropsIPMBrentidaeApioninaeColeopteraInsectaHexapodaArthropodaAnimaliaClaire-SchloemerAuburn-UniversityUniversity-of-Wisconsin-MadisonJournal-of-Integrated-Pest-ManagementScott-GrahamKathy-LawrenceCovingtonBonitaBeauregardOrleansguava-root-knot-nematoderoot-knot-nematodewirewormcucumber-beetleflea-beetlePurpureocillium-lilacinumbiopesticidegreen-bridge-effectmustardglucosinolatepeanutbahiagrasssandy-soildrought-adaptationbiofuelanimal-feednutritional-valuefood-securitysustainable-agricultureenvironmental-impactmicrobial-controlfungal-pathogenentomopathogenic-fungusbiological-nematicidenematode-egg-parasitismpest-managementagricultural-entomologycrop-lossyield-reductionroot-qualitymarketabilityintegrated-managementcultural-controlselective-chemical-useproductivitynatural-processesversatilityglobal-cultivationtropical-regionssubtropical-regionssoutheastern-U.S.domestic-productionrevenueacreageharvestfarminggrowerbreedingresearchcultivar-developmentevolving-threatspest-pressuresoil-healthfield-preparationwinter-habitatinsect-habitatparasitisminfestationdamagelosschallengedefensearsenalbattlewarresilienceadaptationinnovationstrategysustainabilitylivelihoodnourishmentfood-productionagricultural-researchentomologyplant-protectioncrop-sciencehorticultureroot-croptuberstorage-organfeeding-injurygallingcracked-rootsstunted-growthwater-uptakenutrient-uptakepathogen-interactionexacerbated-damagevariety-selectionhardy-varietyrobust-performancehigh-yieldnematode-resistancepest-resistancevulnerabilityspreading-pestpopulation-reductionsoil-improvementspring-plantingtoxic-compoundnatural-propertymicrobial-productformulationapplicationevaluationmaximizationpotentialurgencygrowing-threatcomprehensive-strategybalanceenablementessential-cropsecuritydefiancedifficult-conditionsmenacing-pestsformidable-threatsproduction-continuationface-to-facethreatdiseaseresilient-cropgrowing-conditionsmenacestorysurfacebeneathrelentlessadversaryfavorconditionpowerfulfoetinyparasiteattackformationdiminishabilityresultunattractiveworsematterinteractionsignificantdevastatingruininflictfurthercompromisegrapplethankfullyfarmerbeginselecthardywithstandtraditionalgaintractionvulnerablehighlightneedcontinuebreedeffortdevelopcapableopposeevolveaftersturdyculturalmanagementrotationcovercroppinglinetakeyearoffgrowrotatenon-hostproveeffectivereducepopulationbreathelifeimprovehealthsuppressprepareexamplecontaincompoundcallbreakdownreleasesubstancewaryproviderepresentmethodharnesshelpwinsporefungusinfectkilltypetapdifferentmicroscopicanimalparasitizeplususecombatattentioneggaidfightminimizeimpactdespiteadvancequestionremainrequiremaximizeparticularlyurgentposekeyenhanceapproachintegratepracticecontrolselectivechemicalenablenaturalprocessnutritionalvalueessentialcropglobalfoodregionsupportmillionaddresspressureinnovativesustainableensurelivemanyformidableproductionalthoughcomefaceresilientabledefydifficultreadmorejournalintegratedClaireSchloemerPh.D.studentconductearnmasterdegreeemailsharelinkfriendopennewwindowprintFacebookLinkedInBlueskyMastodonXRedditThreadsrelateddiscoverfromtodaysubscribegetlatestpostsendyourCylasformicariussweetpotatosweetpotatoweevilphotocourtesyshowherecucumberbeetleroot-knotnematodeharmU.S.guidedetailvarietyoptionbeloveddelicioustastebenefitbrightcolorrankseventhmostimportantworldtropicalsubtropicalareaaroundservefeedsourcegoodpicklow-inputstylewelladaptedsandysoildroughtUnitedStates2022over130,000acregeneratenearly600southeasternleaddomesticAuburnUniversityweatherarticlepublishMarchcolleagueScottGrahamKathyLawrencevariousamongplant-parasiticspecificallyrootsystemcausegallplantwaternutrientstuntedgrowthyieldcrackmakeinteractpathogenexacerbateinsectknowstorage7annualsouthernfleaqualityleaveeconomicownresistancebettermeanwhilenewerhighrobustperformancehoweverresistguavaspeciesspreadnextseasonwinterfieldspringtoxicgreenbridgeeffecthabitatfeedersymptominfectionbiologicalpropertymicrobeBeauveriabassianaagentformulateenvironmentallyfriendlyproducteasyapplysimilarlybeneficialentomopathogenicnematicidePurpureocilliumlilacinumsolutionenvironmentalresistantnematode-resistantcultivarcomprehensivecultivationWisconsin-MadisoncschloemerwisceduDeloyala
mottled tortoise beetle (D. guttata)
Deloyala is a genus of tortoise beetles in the family Chrysomelidae, containing approximately 10 described species. The genus is characterized by the distinctive domed, tortoise-like body form typical of the subfamily Cassidinae. The best-known species is Deloyala guttata, commonly called the mottled tortoise beetle, which has been studied extensively for its host plant relationships and behavioral plasticity. Species in this genus are associated with plants in the family Convolvulaceae, particularly morning glories (Ipomoea) and bindweeds.
Deloyala guttata
Mottled Tortoise Beetle
Deloyala guttata, the mottled tortoise beetle, is a tortoise beetle in the family Chrysomelidae distributed across the Caribbean, Central America, North America, and South America. The species exhibits local adaptation to particular host plants, with performance tradeoffs observed when feeding on alternative hosts. Larvae construct defensive shields from exuviae and frass carried on the abdomen to protect against predators. Adults display variable golden iridescent coloration.
Jonthonota nigripes
blacklegged tortoise beetle
Jonthonota nigripes, the blacklegged tortoise beetle, is a tortoise beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It occurs in North and Central America. The species is associated with morning glories and related plants in the family Convolvulaceae.
Megacerus
Large-horned Bruchids
Megacerus is a genus of seed beetles in the family Chrysomelidae, subfamily Bruchinae, commonly known as large-horned bruchids. The genus contains approximately nine described species in North America. Species in this genus are seed specialists, with larvae developing endophytically within seeds of host plants, primarily in the family Convolvulaceae. Adults are characterized by prominent genal or frontal horns, particularly in males. The genus has been studied for its potential use in biological control of weedy bindweeds.
Nomotettix cristatus
crested pygmy grasshopper, crested grouse locust, northern crested grouse locust
Nomotettix cristatus is a small pygmy grasshopper in the family Tetrigidae, commonly known as the crested pygmy grasshopper or crested grouse locust. It is one of approximately 35 Nearctic species of Tetrigidae. The species exhibits three recognized subspecies with distinct geographic distributions across North America. Like other members of its family, it is characterized by an elongated pronotum that extends over the abdomen, a trait distinguishing pygmy grasshoppers from typical grasshoppers in Acrididae.
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stemhumanRelevanceinteraction-with-humanssimilarTaxamust-include-reasonmisconceptionsonly-if-meaningfulextraDetailsimportant-additional-contextSTYLE-RULESclear-direct-sentencesavoid-fluff-filler-languagerepeating-taxonomy-in-proseoverly-technical-jargonconcrete-statementsabstract-descriptionsQUALITY-RULEScompleteness-highmost-fields-well-supportedcompleteness-mediumpartial-but-reliablecompleteness-lowsparse-datahasInferredContenttrue-ONLY-if-generalization-usedotherwise-falseOUTPUT-FORMATstrictly-match-JSON-schemano-extra-fieldsno-commentary-outside-JSONwater-associatedthree-subspeciesN.-c.-cristatusN.-c.-compressusN.-c.-floridanussmall-size399-observationsexact-matchmedium-completenessno-inferred-contentfactual-correctness-prioritizedconservative-approachinformative-contentno-fluffno-vague-generalizationscautious-language-where-neededno-fabricationunique-field-contentfocused-sectionsJSON-schema-complianceno-commentarySmicronychini
Smicronychini is a tribe of true weevils (Curculionidae) established by Seidlitz in 1891. The tribe comprises at least seven genera, including the large genus Smicronyx. Species in this tribe have been documented in southern Africa, where 18 species are recognized, and are associated with host plants in the families Gentianaceae, Orobanchaceae, and Convolvulaceae.