First report of Cylas puncticollis in Spain
The African sweet potato weevil Cylas puncticollis (Coleoptera: Apionidae) is first reported from Spain.
The weevil had caused significant damage to sweet potato crops (Ipomoea batatas) in the southern part of the province of Alicante (Comunitat Valenciana) in recent cropping seasons. The pest damages both the foliage and the tubers. In 2025 it was considered to affect 30% of the 800 ha of sweet potato in the Vega Baja region in the municipalities of Guardamar, Rojales, Catral, San Fulgencio, Almoradí and Orihuela.
It may be noted that in January 2024, C. puncticollis had been found in sweet potato tubers originating from Spain in a supermarket in Hungary (EPPO RS 2024/145).
The situation of Cylas puncticollis in Spain can be described as: Present, not widely distributed (only in Alicante province).
Sources
Phytoma (2025-09-08) Un gorgojo amenaza la producción de boniato en la Vega Baja. https://www.phytoma.com/noticias/noticias-de-actualidad/un-gorgojo-amenaza-la-produccion-de-boniato-en-la-vega-baja