Re: Sweet potato vine pests

Diann,
They are indeed beetles, of the family Chrysomelidae, I think. I can tell
you definitely after work tomorrow (my keys are all there). This bug is
common, especially on morning glory.  I spent years trying to collect a
good one for the insect collection at work...but when they die, they turn a
dull brown. Handpicking will work (you gotta be fast, and they tend to be
on the undersides of the leaves.) but if you want to go chemical, I would
think any good insecticide will work (like Sevin or Malathion).

Gerry

At 08:59 AM 7/10/00 -0500, you wrote:
>I have a couple pots with yellow sweet potato vine.  It's certainly
>beautiful except something is eating gazillions of little holes in the
>leaves (~1/8" to 1/4).  I've examined the plant day and night, and all I can
>find are very small round beetles, about 1/8", of metallic GOLD.  They are
>certainly amazing-looking bugs, but my local extension office couldn't help
>identify them or tell me what else may be redesigning the plants--so anyone
>know if this beetle is likely the demon??  ...and if so, what to use to stop
>their damaging behavior.
>
>Thanks!
>Diann
>zone 5b
>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: PRIMROSES [s*@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU]On Behalf Of
>> cajun Joe
>> Sent: Saturday, July 08, 2000 11:09 AM
>> To: shadegardens@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU
>> Subject: [SG] BLACK = Sweet potato vine habits
>>
>>
>> Hello -
>>
>>
>> Do you plant your potato vine in a pot, or in the ground?
>>
>> If you plant it in the ground, does it grow up again the following year?
>>
>>
>> Does it take over everything?
>>
>>
>> Is it hard to get rid of if you plant it in the ground??
>>
>>
>> Thank you = Cajun Joe
>>
>
>
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