IPM of Sweet Potato Weevil, New Strategies

New Strategies
IPM of Sweetpotato Weevil

	Looking to the future, scientists are trying to develop cultivars which are genetically resistant to this pest. However, no cultivated or wild strains of sweet potato with resistance to the weevil have been identified.
	Scientists are having better success using natural enemies. Sweetpotato weevils are naturally attacked by predatory ants, parasitic wasps, and the fungus Beauveria bassiana. Use of these natural enemies has potential in combating the pest.
	Another research thrust is the development of pheromones, a chemical released by female weevils to attract males for mating. Researchers have successfully developed a synthetic sex pheromone to detect the occurrence of weevils in the field. Suitable control measures, such as insecticide application, can then be initiated. Pheromones, however, are costly and not readily available.