Molecular Species Delimitation Using COI Barcodes of Mealybugs (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) from Coffee Plants in Espírito Santo, Brazil

Mealybugs are insects belonging to the family Pseudococcidae. This includes many plant-pest species with similar morphologies, which may lead errors in mealybug identification and delimitation. In present study, we employed molecular-species-delimitation approaches based on distance (ASAP) coalescence (GMYC mPTP) methods identify mealybugs collected from coffee other plant hosts states of Espírito Santo, Bahia, Minas Gerais, Pernambuco, Brazil. We obtained 171 new COI sequences, 565 BOLD Systems database, representing 26 candidate The MOTUs estimated were not congruent across different (ASAP-25; GMYC-30; mPTP-22). Misidentifications revealed sequences database involving Phenacoccus solani × Ph. solenopsis, tucumanus baccharidis, Planacoccus citri Pl. minor species. Ten plants Santo. Due incorrect labeling barcode library dataset needs be carefully analyzed avoid misidentification systematics taxonomy improved by integrative facilitate integrated pest management these pests.