Sweet Potato Bug

Sweet Potato Bug

Physomerus grossipes

Daily sighting probability ~10% · With luck
at Manila

In 3 days ~20% in a week ~40%

5 Verified sightings at Manila
February Best month

About the Sweet Potato Bug

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 →

Global Distribution

Parks Where Found

# Park Country Daily sighting probability

More parks will be added in future updates.

Cities Where Found

# City Country Daily sighting probability
1 Ho Chi Minh City 🇻🇳 Vietnam
~10%
2 Tuen Mun 🇨🇳 China
~10%
3 Manila 🇵🇭 Philippines
~10%
4 Bangkok 🇹🇭 Thailand
~10%
5 Pune 🇮🇳 India
~10%
6 Singapore 🇸🇬 Singapore
<5%
7 Guangzhou 🇨🇳 China
<5%
8 Kuala Lumpur 🇲🇾 Malaysia
<5%
9 Hong Kong 🇨🇳 China
<5%

Before you go

What are the chances of seeing a Sweet Potato Bug in Manila?

With luck

About 10% of wildlife watchers report a Sweet Potato Bug sighting in Manila on a given day, based on 5 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data. It is the 102nd most-seen of the 122 insects we can rate there. Over three days the chance rises to about 20%, and over a week to about 40%, if each day is a fresh chance.

When is the best time to see a Sweet Potato Bug in Manila?

February

In that month about 20% of wildlife watchers report a Sweet Potato Bug in Manila on a given day, against under 5% in January and May–November, the lowest months.

Is Manila the best place to see a Sweet Potato Bug?

Among the best

Of the 9 cities where we can rate Sweet Potato Bug sightings, Manila ranks 3rd at about 10%, level with the leaders once rounded. The best odds are in Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam, about 10%) and Tuen Mun (China, about 10%).

Where does the Sweet Potato Bug sighting chance come from?

GBIF citizen-science records

It is estimated from how often the Sweet Potato Bug is recorded against all the insects logged in Manila (5 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.

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