Giant Sweetpotato Bug
Spartocera batatas
This record describes Spartocera batatas (species). Recorded family: Coreidae. Recorded order: Hemiptera.
Identification and Appearance
Humeral angles of the pronotum rounded, lateral margins not expanded. Newborn nymphs are red but soon become very dark brown except for the head, the lateral angles of the pronotum and the expanded lateral edges of the abdomen, which are marked with bright red-brown spots. first reported in the continental US: FL 1995
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hemiptera (True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies)
- Suborder
- Heteroptera
- Superfamily
- Coreoidea
- Family
- Coreidae (Leaf-footed Bugs)
- Subfamily
- Coreinae
- Tribe
- Spartocerini
- Genus
- Spartocera
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
native to the Neotropics (West Indies to so. Brazil) , adventive in our area (FL)
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Spartocera batatas (Fabricius 1798)
About True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hemiptera, the group containing Spartocera batatas. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Hemiptera (true bugs) includes over 80,000 described species across cicadas, aphids, leafhoppers, shield bugs, and bed bugs. Aphids alone cost global agriculture an estimated $2.5 billion annually in crop losses.
Ecological role of the group
Many Hemiptera are essential food sources for birds and predatory insects. Cicadas provide massive nutrient pulses during emergence events - a single Brood X emergence can involve trillions of individuals across 15 states.
Economic and practical significance of the group
The brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys) caused $37 million in apple crop losses in a single year in the U.S. Mid-Atlantic region. Bed bug infestations in the U.S. increased by 500% between 2001-2010, costing the hotel industry hundreds of millions annually.
Recorded sources for this group: USDA, EPA, University research. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Giant Sweetpotato Bug (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Eric R. Eaton; Additional contributions by Hannah Nendick-Mason , Beatriz Moisset , v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Giant Sweetpotato Bug
What is Giant Sweetpotato Bug?
Giant Sweetpotato Bug (Spartocera batatas) is a species in the family Coreidae, within the order Hemiptera.
How big is Giant Sweetpotato Bug?
18-23 mm
How do you identify Giant Sweetpotato Bug?
Humeral angles of the pronotum rounded, lateral margins not expanded. Newborn nymphs are red but soon become very dark brown except for the head, the lateral angles of the pronotum and the expanded lateral edges of the abdomen, which are marked with bright red-brown spots.
Where is Giant Sweetpotato Bug found?
Range: native to the Neotropics (West Indies to so. Brazil) , adventive in our area (FL)