CDFA Pest Prevention Plant Regulation Practice Exam

Which plant is NOT attacked by the sweet potato weevil?

1. Sweet potato tubers

2. Irish potato tubers

3. Morning glory plants

4. Sweet potato plants

The correct answer is: Irish potato tubers

The sweet potato weevil primarily targets plants in the morning glory family, specifically focusing on crops like sweet potato tubers and sweet potato plants. These weevils are known to infest and cause damage to sweet potatoes as they lay their eggs within the tubers, leading to significant agricultural losses. Morning glory plants are also susceptible to these pests due to their botanical relationships. In contrast, Irish potato tubers are not a target of the sweet potato weevil’s lifecycle. This is primarily due to the different plant families and ecological niches they occupy. The sweet potato weevil is not adapted to infest Irish potatoes, which belong to the nightshade family (Solanaceae). This distinction highlights why this particular plant is unaffected by sweet potato weevils, making it the correct answer in the context of this question. Understanding the specific relationships between pests and their host plants is crucial for effective pest management and plant regulation.