Helcystogramma convolvuli

Helcystogramma convolvuli
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Lepidoptera
Family:	Gelechiidae
Genus:	Helcystogramma
Species:	H. convolvuli
Binomial name
Helcystogramma convolvuli (Walsingham, 1908)[1]
Synonyms
Trichotaphe convolvuli Walsingham, 1908 Brachmia convolvuli Lecithocera convolvuli Lecithocera emigrans Meyrick, 1921 Brachmia crypsilychna Meyrick, 1914 Lecithocera effera Meyrick, 1918 Brachmia dryadopa Meyrick, 1918

Helcystogramma convolvuli, the sweet potato moth, sweetpotato webworm moth, sweetpotato leaf roller or black leaf folder, is a moth of the Gelechiidae family. It is mainly found in Asia and Africa, but there are also records from Oceania, the Middle East, the Caribbean^[2] and Florida in the United States.^[3] The species is also found on the Canary Islands and Madeira.

The wingspan is 13–15 mm. The forewings are dark tawny fuscous. The hindwings are brownish grey.^[4]

The larvae feed on Convolvulaceae species, including Ipomoea batatas, Convolvulus arvensis, Merremia quinquefolia and Ipomoea aquatica. First instar larvae create a tunnel of silk along the leaf vein and feeds underneath on the surface tissue. The second instar larvae move to the upper leaf surface and fold the leaf, feeding within the fold until the green tissues are consumed, when it moves to another leaf.

References

1. Fauna Europaea
2. CSL Pest risk analysis for Helcystogramma convolvuli
3. mothphotographersgroup
4. lepiforum.de