Neopamera bilobata (Hemiptera: Rhyparochromidae), a strawberry pest, arrives in Santa Catarina state, Brazil

Recently, Neopamera bilobata Say (Hemiptera: Rhyparochromidae) was observed at high densities in Paraná. The species originates in North American countries, with records of occurrence in Central and South America, in hot periods between November and January. The species is polyphagous, occasionally reported in tobacco crops and fig seeds, and despite feeding on strawberry leaves, nymphs only complete their development by feeding on unripe or ripe fruit, causing it to stop growing, stiffening, and drying out when in the early stages of infestation. In case of high infestation, the crown of the plant is also attacked, which causes wilting, leading to production loss. Here, Bonfim et al discuss the occurrence of the pest in Santa Catarina state and to check the expansion of the geographic distribution of N. bilobata, which will allow future studies of niche modeling of this species and the development of measures for the management and control of the pest.