First report of Aethalion reticulatum (Linnaeus, 1767) (Hemiptera: Aethalionidae) infesting plants of Coffea arabica (Linnaeus, 1753) (Rubiaceae)

Abstract

Coffee has great socio-economic importance, and in this scenario, Brazil stands out as the largest producer and exporter of coffee beans. However, the coffee crop is susceptible to the attack of several insect pests, the main ones being the coffee berry borer Hypothenemus hampei (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) and the leaf miner Leucoptera coffeella (Lepidoptera: Lyonetiidae), which can cause great economic losses if left unchecked. However, other pest arthropods may be present in the crop, and their identification and evaluation of its importance are essential for the elaboration of mitigation measures. Up to date, the presence of the leafhopper Aethalion reticulatum (Hemiptera: Aethalionidae) in Coffea arabica (Rubiaceae) plants has not been reported in the literature. Thus, the present study aimed to describe the occurrence of A. reticulatum in Coffea arabica plants on the Campus of the Federal University of Lavras (UFLA), Lavras, Minas Gerais, Brazil.