Air Potato in Georgia

Air potato vine is a highly invasive plant species that threatens our native forests and ecosystems. This brochure serves as a guide to the basic facts about the air potato vine and its treatment. For more Air Potato Vine information please contact your local UGA Extension office by (Dioscorea bulbifera) calling 1-800-ASK-UGA1 or visit Ecology and extension.uga.edu. Management

Jessica Warren Camden County Extension

Distinguishing Characteristics Air Potato Beetle, Lilioceris cheni  Large heart shaped leaves  Adults are approximately  Alternate leaves 9mm long and 4mm wide  All veins originate at the leaf  Elytra (hardened outer wings) Ecology base are red, orange, or brown  In late summer or early fall the  Head, thorax, legs, and  Highly invasive plant species plant produces a bulbil or abdomen are black originally from Southeast “potato” at every leaf node  Females deposit clusters of Asia and sub-Saharan Africa  Vines die back in winter eggs on the underside of  Grows up to 8 inches per day young leaves  Grows up to 70 feet in length  Females produce more than  Smothers tree canopies and 1200 eggs in their lifetime increases risk of fire  Adults live 5 or more months  Produces “bulbils” at every  Adults and larvae feed on air leaf node which drop to the potato ground and sprout a new  Feed primarily on leaf tissue plant and occasionally on bulbils  Very prolific  Feeds only on air potato vine  Displaces and chokes out native plant species Treatment Options

Mechanical Control:  Cut back vines  Collect potatoes that have fallen to the ground and dig up buried potatoes by following vines to the source Chemical Control:  Triclopyr or glyphosate  Follow all label directions Biological Control:  Air potato beetle