Family Aleyrodidae - Whiteflies

Classification · Synonyms and other taxonomic changes · Numbers · Size · Identification · Food · Life Cycle · Works Cited

Whiskey Still Lane whitefly on Quercus laevis adult 2022 1.1

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Subphylum Hexapoda (Hexapods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Hemiptera (True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies)

Suborder Sternorrhyncha (Plant-parasitic Hemipterans)

Superfamily Aleyrodoidea

Family Aleyrodidae (Whiteflies)

Synonyms and other taxonomic changes

overview in(1)

Numbers

~1,600 spp. in ~160 genera total(2)(3)

Size

Usually <3 mm

Identification

Adults are winged and covered with white dust or waxy powder. Identification to genus or species usually requires close examination of so-called pupa (inactive last nymphal stage).

Keys in(3)(4) (based on pupae)

Food

Feed on leaves

Has a symbiotic relationship with Portiera aleyrodidarum, proteobacteria, that assist in providing the insect with sufficient amino acids.(5)

Life Cycle

First instar nymphs are active, subsequent instars are sessile and look like scales.

The final larval stages feed for a short time then have an extended non-feeding period during which the pharate adult develops.

Works Cited

1.	The whiteflies (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) of the world and their host plants and natural enemies G. A. Evans. 2007. USDA/Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).

2.	Evans G.A., Hamon A.B. (2002) Whitefly taxonomic and ecological website: An on-line interactive catalog of the whiteflies...

3.	Dooley J. (2011) Whitefly pupa of the world. Compendium and key to the genera of the Aleurodicinae & the Aleyrodinae

4.	An identification guide to the whiteflies (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) of the southeastern United States Hodges G.S., Evans G.A. 2005. Fla. Entomol. 88: 518-534.

5.	The Insects : Structure and Function R. F. Chapman. 1998. Cambridge University Press.

Contributed by Hannah Nendick-Mason on 13 September, 2004 - 6:17pm
Additional contributions by cotinis, Beatriz Moisset, ceiseman, v belov, Marci Hess
Last updated 25 September, 2023 - 9:33am

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