Forest Pest Insects in North America: a Photographic Guide

Citrus whitefly

Dialeurodes citri (Ashmead), (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae)

Orientation to pest

Citrus whitefly, Dialeurodes citri (Ashmead), is a polyphagous invasive whitefly of Asian origin that was once a major pest of citrus in the United States, as well as infesting a range of other plants. Like all whiteflies, this species has sessile nymphs that are affixed to plant surfaces, where they feed by removing plant sap, debilitating the host. Citrus whitefly secretes honeydew, leading to growth of sooty molds on infested plants.

Hosts commonly attacked

Citrus whitefly attacks many species, most of which are themselves introduced crops or ornamentals. These include citrus (Citrus), allamanda (Allamanda), banana shrub (Michelia figo [Lour.] Spreng), cape jasmine (Gardenia jasminoides J. Ellis), chinaberry (Melia azedarach L.), laurel cherry (Prunus laurocerasus L.), crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia spp.), Ficus macrophylla Desf. ex Pers., gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides J. Ellis), myrtle (Myrtus spp.), mock olive (Notelaea), and pear (Pyrus). Among the native North American plants attached are osage orange (Maclura pomifera [Raf.] Schneid.), water oak (Quercus nigra L.), persimmon (Diospyros), and green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica Marshall).

Distribution

In North America, citrus whitefly is found in the southeastern United States, from Florida west to Texas and north to Virginia, and also in California.

Images of citrus whitefly

Adult of citrus whitefly Lyle Buss, University of Florida, Bugwood.org 768x512 / 1536x1024
Adult of citrus whitefly Lyle Buss, University of Florida, Bugwood.org 768x512 / 1536x1024
Nymph of citrus whitefly Florida Division of Plant Industry Archive, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Bugwood.org 768x512 / 1536x1024
Figure 1. Adults of citrus whitefly, Dialeurodes citri Figure 2. Nymph of citrus whitefly
Cast skin (top) of citrus whitefly Florida Division of Plant Industry Archive, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Bugwood.org 768x512 / 1536x1024
Leaf infested with citrus whitefly (white dots dispersed over leaf) Jeffrey W. Lotz, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Bugwood.org 768x512 / 1536x1024
Sooty mold growing on honeydew produced by citrus whitefly INRA: Alain Fraval 768x512
The aphelinid parasitoid, the key natural enemy of citrus whitefly FDACS-DPI Jeffrey W. Lotz 768x512
Figure 3. Cast skin (top) of citrus whitefly Figure 4. Leaf infested with citrus whitefly (white dots dispersed over leaf) Figure 5. Sooty mold growing on honeydew produced by citrus whitefly Figure 6. The aphelinid parasitoid Encarsia lahorensis, the key natural enemy of citrus whitefly

Important biological control agents related to this pest species

This invasive whitefly has come under virtually complete biological control, at least on citrus, due the influence of the introduced parasitoid Encarsia lahorensis Howard.

Web links for information on citrus whitefly

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