Cylas puncticollis (Coleoptera: Apionidae - African sweet potato weevil): addition to the EPPO Alert List
Why: Cylas puncticollis is a damaging pest of sweet potato in Africa. It was recently recorded in Spain. Considering the increasing cultivation of sweet potato in the EPPO region, and the potential impact of C. puncticollis, the EPPO Panel on Phytosanitary Measures recommended that it is added to the Alert List.
Where:
Until the recent record in Spain, C. puncticollis was only known to occur in Africa and seems to be the dominant Cylas species in East Africa.
EPPO Region: Spain (only in Alicante province)
Africa: Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Congo (Democratic Republic of), Cote d'Ivoire, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania (United Republic of), Uganda, Zambia
On which plants: The main host of C. puncticollis is sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas). It was also recorded as a pest of cotton (Gossypium spp.). A number of other species in the Malvaceae family are recorded as feeding hosts.
Damage: C. puncticollis damages leaves, stems, and roots of sweet potatoes. Adults feed on the leaves, and larvae bore into the stems and tubers. Early infestations can cause mortality to seedlings. Larval tunnelling and secondary rots reduce the size and number of roots. Severe infestations render the crop unsuitable for consumption. Infested tubers cannot be stored for a long time as the pest may continue its development in them.
Dissemination: Adults can fly for up to 1000 m. They can also crawl, though the exact distance is unknown. Long‐distance dispersal is through the movement of infested sweet potato tubers and plants for planting.
Pathways: plants for planting and tubers of sweet potato, other hosts plants for planting?
Possible risks: C. puncticollis is a major pest of sweet potato in Africa and was recorded as causing damage in southern Spain. Sweet potato is a minor crop in the EPPO region, but its cropping is increasing. The main limitation to the impact of C. puncticollis in the EPPO region is related to its climatic requirements as it requires annual mean temperatures of 18°–35°C to complete its life cycle. Existing climatic modelling did not suggest that the pest could establish in the EPPO region. However, it could establish in a limited part of Spain. Considering the impact of climate change, and the fact that sweet potatoes are also grown under greenhouses, it is useful to prevent its introduction in the EPPO region.
Sources
Addo-Bediako A, Tameru B, Jackai LE, Bonsi CK (2014) Assessment of risk of introduction of Cylas formicarius elegantulus (Coleoptera: Brentidae) into weevil-free areas in the southern United States. Journal of economic entomology 100(2), 315-321.
CABI (2021) Datasheet on Cylas puncticollis (sweet potato weevil). https://doi.org/10.1079/cabicompendium.17409
Junta de Andalucia (undated) Nota informativa sobre el gorgojo africano de la batata (Cylas puncticollis) https://www.juntadeandalucia.es/export/drupaljda/NOTA
Malgwi MA, Onu I (2013) Alternate host plants, hibernation sites and survival strategy of Cylas puncticollis Boh.: a new pest of cotton. Journal of Biology, Agriculture and Healthcare 3(2), 9-22.
Okonya J, Mujica N, Carhuapoma P, Kroschel J (2016) Sweetpotato weevil, Cylas puncticollis (Boheman 1883). In: Kroschel, J.; Mujica, N.; Carhuapoma, P.; Sporleder, M. (eds.). Pest distribution and risk atlas for Africa. Potential global and regional distribution and abundance of agricultural and horticultural pests and associated biocontrol agents under current and future climates. Lima (Peru). International Potato Center (CIP). ISBN 978‐92‐9060‐476‐1. DOI 10.4160/9789290604761‐4. pp. 54‐63 https://ilcym.cipotato.org/
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
EPPO RS
Panel review date – Entry date 2026-04-28