Advancing towards a sustainable green management system ( SGMS ) for the sweet potato weevil, Cylas formicarius : a synthesis of traditional knowledge and modern innovations

Cylas formicarius, the sweet potato weevil (SPW), is an important invasive pest of sweet potato crops, causing great economic losses to the production of sweet potatoes worldwide. Despite extensive reviews on C. formicarius, a critical synthesis integrating modern ecological insights (notably genomic adaptation and climate-driven range expansion) into a practical, sustainable management framework remains notably absent. This review addresses this gap by introducing the sustainable green management system (SGMS) as a unifying framework for research and implementation. We first synthesize advances in C. formicarius invasion biology, chemical ecology, and molecular foundations that explain its escalating global pest status. We subsequently critique current management strategies, demonstrating that persistent over-reliance on chemical insecticides is untenable, while biological and ecological approaches remain underexploited. Central to our work is the SGMS framework, which prioritizes biological control and ecological regulation, augmented by real-time monitoring and targeted interventions, reserving chemical methods for emergencies. By transcending tactical listings toward an integrated system, this review provides a definitive roadmap for sustainable, green management of this formidable pest. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.