Artificial Infestation of Sweet Potato with Banded Cucumber Beetle Eggs1

Abstract

Root injury of sweet potato ( Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam) was significantly increased when eggs of banded cucumber beetles ( Diabrotica balteata (LeConte)) in a agar-water mixture were applied at preroot enlargement. This technique should prove useful in screening sweet-potato lines or cultivars for insect resistance.