Bad but not so bad: Jalysus sobrinus Stål, 1862 (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Berytidae: Metacanthinae) on tomato, integrative taxonomy and progress in the knowledge of its feeding habits

Abstract

A brief diagnosis of Jalysus sobrinus, along with its measurements and synthesis of its host plants and distribution, is provided. Morphological and molecular identification using barcoding techniques is also presented, integrating species-level information for the first time. Damage to tomato fruits on crops from northern and southern Uruguay is reported as a potential risk to this productive sector. A new host plant species is reported. Predation on nymphs of Trialeurodes vaporariorum is confirmed through laboratory assay. This is the first record of J. sobrinus preying on T. vaporariorum and causing damage to tomato fruits.