Pacific Pests, Pathogens, Weeds & Pesticides - Online edition

Pacific Pests, Pathogens, Weeds & Pesticides

Sweetpotato gall mite (138)


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Summary

  • Widespread distribution. South and Southeast Asia, Oceania. On sweetpotato and weeds in Ipomoea (morning glory) family. Probably reduces yield, but not known).
  • Eggs laid in the galls, nymphs hatch, later becoming wormlike, white, cylindrical, tapering adults.
  • Irregular growths (the galls) on the stems, leaves and leaf stalks, varying from 2-10 mm long and 1-5 mm wide. A microscope is needed to see the mites.
  • Spread occurs on cutting used for planting.
  • Cultural control: use only gall-free cuttings; cut off any vines with galls; weed; destroy volunteer sweetpotatoes; collect vines after harvest and burn.
  • Chemical control: no trials reported; try abamectin.

Common Name

Sweetpotato gall mite

Scientific Name

Eriophyes gastrotrichus


AUTHOR Grahame Jackson
Information (and Figure) from Amante V, et al. (2003). A field guide to the sweetpotato problems in the Philippines. The University of Queensland (https://www.soilwealth.com.au/imagesDB/news/Sweet-Potato-Pest-and-Disease-Guide.pdf); and from Ekman J, Lovatt J (2015) Pests, Diseases and Disorders of Sweetpotato: A Field Identification Guide. (https://www.soilwealth.com.au/imagesDB/news/Sweet-Potato-Pest-and-Disease-Guide.pdf).

Produced with support from the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research under project PC/2010/090: Strengthening integrated crop management research in the Pacific Islands in support of sustainable intensification of high-value crop production, implemented by the University of Queensland and the Secretariat of the Pacific Community.

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