
Community identification
Whitefly
Trialeurodes vaporariorum
- Order & Family
- Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae
- Size
- 1 to 2 millimeters in length
Natural Habitat
Found on the undersides of plant leaves in gardens, greenhouses, and agricultural fields worldwide.
Diet & Feeding
Sap-sucking insects that feed on the phloem of various plants including vegetables, ornamentals, and weeds.
Behavior Patterns
They are active during the day and often fly in a cloud when host plants are disturbed. They lay eggs on the undersides of leaves and go through several nymphal stages before reaching adulthood.
Risks & Benefits
Significant agricultural pests that weaken plants by sucking sap and may transmit plant viruses. They produce sticky 'honeydew' that promotes the growth of sooty mold.