Activity is sluggish below 70 degrees F and nearly ceases below 60 degrees F. Weevils become completely inactive at 40 degrees F. Adult weevils fly freely during the warm part of the year and capable of flying at least 1 mile per season. Weevils in NC have been collected year round. However, peak activity is from July through October in the Ft. Since the weevil spreads readily from infested storage areas to field plantings, precautions are necessary to prevent natural movement from storage houses to beds or plantings. Flights take place primarily at night but also during the day if the insects are disturbed.
Adults fly most freely during calm weather or when there are gentle breezes.
Flight activity tends to be more general or dark nights than on bright moonlit nights. Management Prevention and sanitation are important tactics in the control of the sweetpotato weevil. Locate seed beds as far from the previous year's crop as possible. Rotate fields and plant as far from the previous year's crop as possible. Plant behind a clean, cultivated crop.