Expansion of Geographical Range and Plant Associations of Leptoglossus clypealis1: A Potential Invasive Pest of Sorghum along the Texas Gulf Coast

• Published in: The Southwestern entomologist Vol. 45; no. 1; pp. 1 - 16
• Main Authors: Esquivel, J. F, Glover, J. P, Brewer, M. J, Helms, A. M, Ree, W. O, Shirley, X. A, Bell, A. A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Society of Southwestern Entomologists 31.03.2020
• ISSN: 0147-1724; 2162-2647
• DOI: 10.3958/059.045.0101

Hemipteran insects affecting food and feed safety continue to plague producers of row crops. We report the occurrence of an invasive hemipteran pest species along the Texas Gulf Coast. Leptoglossus clypealis Heidemann (Hemiptera: Coreidae) was collected from soft-dough stage sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] in Nueces County, TX. This is a new geographical expansion of L. clypealis in Texas, and sorghum represents a new host plant association for the species. A comprehensive summary of associated host plants is also presented, describing 44 plant associations in 20 plant families for L. clypealis. The species has an affinity for Cupressaceae (i.e., 27.3% of occurrences), followed by Rosaceae. While additional research is needed to further elucidate the spatiotemporal presence of L. clypealis in the region, the impetus for this report is to increase awareness of this invasive pest that might injure sorghum along the Texas Gulf Coast.