Bedellia somnulentella (Lepidoptera: Bedelliidae) in sweet potato in North Florida

Abstract Monitoring pest infestations in Florida is essential to protect the biodiversity and the economy, which largely depends on agriculture. Invasive species can cause major crop damage, resulting in ecological and financial impacts. Early detection allows control measures before pests are established and spread, minimizing economic losses and reducing pesticide use, which benefits the environment and public health. Bedellia somnulentella (Zeller) (Lepidoptera: Bedelliidae), known as the sweet potato leafminer, is an important pest in several regions. The larvae of this moth feed on the leaf mesophyll, reducing photosynthetic capacity and productivity. The objective of this study was to report on the finding of B. somnulentella in Quincy, Florida, United States. B. somnulentella caterpillars were observed feeding and developing on sweet potato Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam. (Convolvulaceae). Larvae of different stages were collected and taken to the laboratory until the emergence of adults, when they were identified. This is the first formal record of B. somnulentella feeding on sweet potatoes in North Florida, which expands the pest’s distribution in the USA.