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Hayslip Biological Control Research and Containment Laboratory

Hayslip Biological Control Research and Containment Laboratory

Air Potato

Dioscorea bulbifera L. (Dioscoreaceae) is an herbaceous, climbing vine native to tropical Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. This vine was introduced into Florida in 1905. Air potato is extremely fast growing and can grow as much as 8 inches in a single day. Vines can top trees and other vegetation, and effectively killing vegetation beneath.

Air potato vines reproduce vegetatively by producing aerial bulbils in the fall. These bulbils fall to the ground and produce new vines in the spring. Removing these bulbils before they can sprout is an good way to reduce the spread of this vine. Bulbils should be frozen for several days before being disposed of permanently.

Left photo: Air potato covering trees in a wooded area. Photo by: Florida Division of Plant Industry, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Bugwood.org.

Right Photo: Air potato bulbils after being collected from a natural area. Photo by: Kelly Carruthers.

Lilioceris cheni

Lilioceris cheni Gressitt and Kimoto (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), or the air potato leaf beetle, is a red/ orange beetle that is ~ 9 mm (1/3 inch) long. These beetles feed on air potato leaves and are host specific to this species, which means that they only feed and develop on air potato. Air potato leaf beetles were first released in Florida in 2012 by the USDA-ARS Invasive Plant Research Lab. Afterwards several agencies (UF/IFAS Biological Control Research and Containment Laboratory, USDA-ARS Invasive Plant Research Laboratory, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Division of Plant Industry, and UF/IFAS St. Lucie County Extension) began a state-wide release program. This program was very successful and led to the establishment of this insect in the state and a reduction in the air potato vine cover and bulbil production in many regions. The program was concluded as it was determined that future releases in the state of this insect were not necessary.

adult lilioceris cheni

Lilioceris cheni adult. Photo by: Emily Le Falchier

Lilioceris egena

Lilioceris egena (Weise) were released by the USDA-ARS Invasive Plant Research Lab in 2021. Lilioceris egena beetles look similar to Lilioceris cheni, but their lifecycles are very different. Adults of Lilioceris egena feed on air potato leaves and bulbils and lay eggs on/inside the bulbils. Larvae feed on the inside of the bulbils and stop the bulbil from sprouting. These beetles are being released in the state but are still under study in the field. Therefore, beetles are not yet available to the public. However, beetles will be made available to the public once field studies are completed.