Hidden in plain sight: New distribution and host plant records for the lace bug species Gargaphia lunulata (Mayr, 1865) (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Tingidae) in Brazil - (2026)

Acessos: 12

Nyeppson S. Soares, Jun Souma, Leonardo S. Duarte, Roberto A. Zucchi, Marcoandre Savaris

Volume: 8 - Issue: 0

Resumo. The lace bug species Gargaphia lunulata (Mayr, 1865) (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Tingidae) is a polyphagous pest associated with several plant families, including hosts of agricultural, medicinal, and weedy importance. In this study, we report for the first time the occurrence and damage caused by G. lunulata on chanana, Turnera subulata Sm. (Passifloraceae), in four Brazilian states. This lace bug was collected and inspected on T. subulata in urban areas of the municipalities of Barão de Grajaú (Maranhão), Floriano and São José do Peixe (Piauí), Janaúba (Minas Gerais), and Piracicaba (São Paulo), Brazil, from December 2025 to January 2026. Subsequently, in last April, G. lunulata was also collected from Barbados cherry, Malpighia emarginata DC. (Malpighiaceae) (new host), in a backyard in the municipality of Americana (São Paulo). On both host plants, this lace bug causes damage mainly to the leaves, which became yellowed, curled, and dried. During inspections, eggs, nymphs, and adults of the pest were found on both host plants, indicating that the life cycle was completed on these host plants. The occurrence of G. lunulata was updated to 12 Brazilian states with the inclusion of our records.

Keywords: Malpighiaceae, Malpighia emarginata, New host plant, Passifloraceae, Turnera subulata

Idioma: English

Registro: 2026-08-22 23:01:48

https://www.entomologicalcommunications.org/index.php/entcom/article/view/563

10.37486/2675-1305.ec08031