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Air Potato Leaf Beetle
Lilioceris cheni
25.6965, -80.3723
Field Notes
Habitat:
Native to Asia. The beetle was first released in Florida in 2012 for biological control of air potato. It is a specialist feeder on air potato. It will not complete development on any other plant found in Florida and is only known to feed on Dioscorea bulbifera in its native range
Notes:
The hammocks at this park have been overrun with invasive Air Potato vine (Dioscorea bulbifera). Volunteer groups clear out swaths of it now and then. Though it is still there, it seems that the introduced beetles are keeping it at bay. There were many adults out and about today. The last couple of photos show the "skeletonizing" damage they do to the leaves of the vine.
Reference Links:
Air Potato Biological Control
Species ID Suggestions
Spotted for Missions
Photographed
PublishedAugust 2, 2022
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