Three-spotted leafroller

The Three-spotted leafroller (Pilocrocis tripunctata) is a moth species belonging to the order Lepidoptera and the family Crambidae. It is recognized as a notable agricultural pest, primarily known for causing economic losses in sweet potato crops by feeding on the foliage of the host plants.

The primary host plant for this species is the sweet potato (*Ipomoea batatas*). It thrives in environments where these plants are cultivated, and while it is most commonly associated with this crop, it can occasionally be found on other members of the Convolvulaceae family, utilizing them as secondary food sources.

The biology of the pest is marked by several generations per year depending on the local climate. Adult moths deposit eggs on the undersides of leaves. After hatching, the larvae go through several developmental instars, feeding voraciously on the leaf tissue. The pupation typically occurs within the leaf rolls created by the larvae, providing them with essential protection from environmental threats.

The damage is characterized by defoliation and leaf rolling. Larvae use silk threads to tie leaves together, creating a shelter where they feed undisturbed. Significant infestations can lead to a substantial loss of leaf area, which hinders photosynthesis and directly affects the development and accumulation of starch in the tubers of the sweet potato plant.

Effective management strategies require an integrated pest management (IPM) approach. Regular scouting of fields for signs of leaf rolling is essential for timely intervention. Cultural practices, such as clearing field margins of host weeds and deep plowing to destroy overwintering pupae, are vital. Chemical control with targeted insecticides should be applied only when economic injury levels are surpassed to protect beneficial natural predators.