Bedellia somnulentella (Lepidoptera: Bedelliidae): record of a new host and predator in Atlantic Forest biome in Minas Gerais state, Brazil

Abstract

Bedellia somnulentella Zeller, 1847 (Lepidoptera: Bedelliidae), microlepidoptera leafminer of plants of the Convolvulaceae family, has Ipomoea batatas as its main commercial host. The distribution of this insect is cosmopolitan, with importance in different regions of the world. The aim was to report the occurrence of B. somnulentella in a new biome and host plant and a predator of this pest in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. This damaged Distimake dissectus var. edentatus (Convolvulaceae) plants in the Atlantic Forest biome in the municipality of Viçosa, Minas Gerais state, Brazil. Agelaia vicina Saussure, 1854 (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) fed on B. somnulentella caterpillars and pupae. The record of this insect on D. dissectus var. edentatus expands the number of its hosts in a new biome. The record of the predator A. vicina increases the number of enemies and reinforces the importance of Vespidae to reducing populations of the leaf miner B. somnulentella in the field.