Pests > Pests Entities > Weeds > Merremia peltata, leaf damage, Solomon Is



Pests > Pests Entities > Weeds > Merremia peltata, leaf damage, Solomon Is

Pests Pests Entities Weeds Merremia peltata, leaf damage, Solomon Is

Merremia peltata

September 2005. Damage done to the leaves of the vine Merremia peltata (Convolvulaceae) by an unknown insect in Solomon Islands. It was suspected that it was the feeding of the caterpillar of a moth e.g. Agrius convolvuli (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae).

It was not thought to be the damage that Agrius might cause. A chafer beetle was more likely, which might be seen if inspections were made at night. Another suggestion was the rose beetle (Editor: this does not occur in Solomon Islands). However, a leaf-eating beetle (Chrysomelidae) was the preferred cause, and it was suggested that the vines should be swept at different times of the day to see what is caught in the net.