Physomerus grossipes
In 3 days ~10% in a week ~20%
Physomerus grossipes, the sweetpotato bug or large spine-footed bug, is a species of Hemiptera in the family Coreidae. Native to Southeast Asia, the species has immigrated to the Pacific Islands. Frequently laying its eggs on the same Leguminosae and Convolvulaceae plants on which it feeds, the females of P. grossipes are very protective of their young, notably guarding both eggs and nymphs from predators.
Native to Southeast Asia, the species' distribution ranges from Indonesia, throughout Peninsular Malaysia and India. The species has spread to other areas, including Guam and Hawaii. Brown in color with black legs, individuals grow to be about 2 cm (0.79 in) long. Like other Coreidae, P. grossipes is oval-shaped with segmented antennae, a numerously veined forewing membrane, a metathoracic stink gland, and enlarged hind tibia.
The insect feeds on Leguminosae and Convolvulaceae plants. In addition to the sweet potato from which it derives its common name, it frequents other plants of the genus Ipomoea, as well as catjang, Clitoria ternatea and the common bean. Since the removal of juice from the stem in the insect's feeding causes... Wikipedia →
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|
More parks will be added in future updates.
| # | City | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ho Chi Minh City | 🇻🇳 Vietnam | |
| 2 | Tuen Mun | 🇨🇳 China | |
| 3 | Manila | 🇵🇭 Philippines | |
| 4 | Bangkok | 🇹🇭 Thailand | |
| 5 | Pune | 🇮🇳 India | |
| 6 | Singapore | 🇸🇬 Singapore | |
| 7 | Guangzhou | 🇨🇳 China | |
| 8 | Kuala Lumpur | 🇲🇾 Malaysia | |
| 9 | Hong Kong | 🇨🇳 China |
Rare
Under 5% of wildlife watchers report a Sweet Potato Bug sighting in Hong Kong on a given day, based on 6 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data. It is the 925th most-seen of the 1125 insects we can rate there. Over three days the chance rises to about 10%, and over a week to about 20%, if each day is a fresh chance.
Any time of year
In every month with enough records, under 5% of wildlife watchers report a Sweet Potato Bug in Hong Kong on a given day, so our monthly data shows no clear season.
9th of 9
Of the 9 cities where we can rate Sweet Potato Bug sightings, Hong Kong ranks 9th at under 5%. The best odds are in Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam, about 10%), Tuen Mun (China, about 10%) and Manila (Philippines, about 10%).
GBIF citizen-science records
It is estimated from how often the Sweet Potato Bug is recorded against all the insects logged in Hong Kong (6 verified sightings), calibrated against known sighting rates. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10% because citizen-science data supports honest approximations, not decimals, and months with records from fewer than five people show "—". How it works.
