Air Potato Vine (Dioscorea bulbifera) is a distinct but harmful vine found throughout Florida. It is an invasive plant capable of displacing native vegetation and causing widespread ecological harm. It is a very fast growing vine that can grow in almost any conditions, but is most common in damp, shady areas. From late summer through early winter, it develops potato-looking tubers along the vines, called bulbils, which gives the vine its name. These bulbils drop during winter and spring to form new vines and easily resist most herbicides.

Luckily, there are two beetles from its native range in Southeast Asia that can help provide control: a leaf-feeding air potato beetle (Lilioceris cheni) and a bulbil-feeding air potato beetle (Lilioceris egena). The leaf-feeder has been raised by scientists to provide control in Florida for over a decade. While it does not eat the bulbils or stop the vine from spreading, it does eat the air potato leaves voraciously enough to prevent the vine from causing widespread damage.

The bulbil-feeder has potential to provide more adequate control, especially when released in tandem with the leaf-feeders. While it does not eat the leaves, the larvae liquify the bulbils for food, preventing new vines from growing. These bulbil-feeding beetles are being released by FDACS and can occasionally be requested from IFAS. When requesting from FDACS, beetles will be released within ten miles of your reported infestation. If IFAS has beetles available, it will be up to the individual to release the beetles where they believe would have the greatest effect.

Fill out the FDACS beetle request form and survey here: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/40916f3ef94f4de79764f9609db00823