Insect species associated with sweet potatoes (Ipomoea batatas L.)

Abstract

This experiment was conducted in Igboora, southwest Nigeria to identify different insects affecting sweet potatoes in the study area in order to develop suitable control measures for the insect pests. One of the most widely root crops grown in Nigeria is sweet potatoes. It is particularly important in many other countries of the world for consumption. The vine was planted on a plot of 10m by 10m with 6 mounds and replicated 6 times with a spacing of 1m by 1m between each vine on a plot. Data collection on insects that affected the crop commenced five weeks after planting with the aid of a sweep net and hand-picking. All data collected were taken to the laboratory for identification with a hand lens and microscope using insect identification keys and in consultation with the insect collection museum of the Crop Protection and Environmental Biology department, University of Ibadan. The result shows that different insect pests were associated with sweet potatoes at different week intervals, these insects were Orthoptera (Chrotogonus Senegalensis, Dnopherula descampsi) which attacked the leaves, Coleoptera (Lema coelestins, Cheilomenes Lunata, Lunata) also attacked the leaves, Hymenoptera (Crematogaster spp, Pollistes Spilophorus) attacked the vines, while Odynerus spp, componotus spp2, Scapisdepus morginatus were picked on the soil. Farmers and crop scientists should identify insect pests in the field, especially during the cultivation of sweet potatoes, to ascertain the method of control measures to use to improve productivity.