Geographic distribution of the Ipomoea batatas (Convolvulaceae) pest, Bedellia somnulentella (Zeller) (Lepidoptera: Bedelliidae), in Minas Gerais state, Brazil

Abstract

The microlepidoptera Bedellia somnulentella is a pest insect of Ipomoea batatas leaves, with the first report in South America, in the city of Diamantina, Minas Gerais state, Brazil, in 2018. The mining caterpillars of B. somnulentella cause damage to the leaf mesophyll of the host plant, Ipomoea batatas, an important crop which contributes to overcoming world food insecurity with high nutritional value. The objective of this work is to register the occurrence of B. somnulentella in I. batatas in the cities of Lavras and Salinas, located, respectively, in the southern and northern regions of Minas Gerais state, Brazil. The individuals of B. somnulentella were observed in field areas of the Universidade Federal de Lavras (21° 14′ S, 44° 58′ W, at an elevation of 919 masl) in Lavras and at the Instituto Federal do Norte de Minas Gerais (15° 27′ S, 44° 22′ W, at an elevation of 474 masl) in the city of Salinas. in production sites of the northeastern region These records increase the knowledge concerning the geographic distribution of this pest in the country and indicate the importance of developing strategic studies for pest contingency plans and integrated pest management (IPM). To monitor B. somnulentella in I. batatas, it is necessary to accompany the expansion of this pest in other regions, especially in the maof Brazil, a warmer region, and the southern states, with a milder climate.