Omphisa anastomosalis

Omphisa anastomosalis
Omphisa anastomosalis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Crambidae
Genus: Omphisa
Species: O. anastomosalis
Binomial name
Omphisa anastomosalis
(Guenee, in Boisduval and Guenee, 1854)
Synonyms
  • Pionea anastomosalis Guenee, in Boisduval and Guenee, 1854
  • Evergistis anastomosalis

The Sweetpotato Vineborer (Omphisa anastomosalis) is a moth of the Crambidae family. It is widespread, with records including the Philippines, Indonesia, New Guinea, India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Taiwan, Hawaii, Vietnam, China, Japan, Cambodia, Laos, Burma and Thailand.

The wingspan is about 33 mm. Adults have a reddish-brown body and reddish brown markings on white wings.

The larvae feed on Ipomoea batatas and other Convolvulaceae species. They bores into the main stem and sometimes penetrate the storage roots. The larvae create large tunnels causing hollow cavities in the stem. Infested plants usually have a pile of frass that can be found close to the attacked stem.

Full-grown larvae are 25-30 mm long and pale yellowish white.

The pupa is about 16 mm long and 3 mm wide and nearly cylindrical. It is formed in a slight cocoon in the larval tunnel in the vine. The pupal period lasts 12-16 days.

External links