The leaf-mining moth Bedellia somnulentella finds in sweet potato and weeds of the genus Ipomoea a base to maintain populations in the field. A study conducted in Diamantina, Minas Gerais, shows higher survival, faster development, and more intense leaf consumption in sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas cv. Beauregard). Among the spontaneous species evaluated, the corda-de-viola (Ipomoea hederifolia) also favored the insect. Trials compared the biological performance of the insect on four hosts: Ipomoea batatas, Ipomoea hederifolia, Ipomoea indica, and Ipomoea purpurea. The team of scientists monitored eggs, larvae, prepupae, pupae, and adults daily in a climate-controlled room. The work recorded five larval instars in all hosts. It also pointed out morphological variations between larvae raised on different species of Ipomoea. Greater efficiency The insect completed the cycle with greater efficiency on Ipomoea batatas. On this plant, the larval phase lasted 10.9 days. On Ipomoea ...