©FUNPEC-RP www.funpecrp.com.br Genetics and Molecular Research 18 (1): gmr18222 First record of the soybean stem fly Melanagromyza sojae (Diptera: Agromyzidae) in Bolivia L.Vitorio 1 , A.F.C. Bazán 1 , J.A. Arnemann 2 , H. Pozebon 2 , G.A. Ugalde 2 , R.P. Marques 2 , J. G. Bevilaqua², L. Puntel², T.L. Colpo², C.R. Perini 2 and J.V.C. Guedes 2 1 Instituto de Investigaciones Agrícolas "El Vallecito”, Universidad Autonoma Gabriel René Moreno, Santa Cruz, Bolivia 2 Departamento de Defesa Fitossanitária, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brasil Corresponding author: J.A. Arnemann E-mail: jonasarnemann@gmail.com Genet. Mol. Res. 18 (1): gmr18222 Received November 26, 2018 Accepted March 11, 2019 Published March 28, 2019 DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.4238/gmr18222 ABSTRACT. This is the first scientific record of Melanagromyza sojae in Bolivia, confirmed through molecular characterization of the mtDNA COI gene. Commonly known as the soybean stem fly, M. sojae belongs to the family Agromyzidae and is a highly polyphagous pest, attacking several plant species of the Fabaceae family, such as soybeans and other beans. Previously reported in Brazil and Paraguay, the soybean stem fly presence was confirmed in soybean fields of the municipalities of Fernández Alonso, Cuatro Cañadas, Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Yapacani and Santa Rosa del Sara, which are located in Santa Cruz Department, Bolivia. This soybean stem fly detection in Bolivia will affect soybean crop practices in South America. Key words: Biosecurity; Glycine max; mtDNA COI; Stem borer flies