International Journal of Tropical Insect Science (2022) 42, 2493-2500

Josephrajkumar Arulappan, Gregory Allyn Evans, Chandrika Mohan, Merin Babu, Anes Kakkanattu Meerasahib, Alagar Muthu and Vinayaka Hegde (2022)
Morphological and molecular identification of the woolly whitefly, Aleurothrixus floccosus (Maskell)
International Journal of Tropical Insect Science 42 (3), 2493-2500
Abstract: Detection and accurate identification of invasive species is crucial to halting or mitigating their introduction and establishment. Species identification of whiteflies (Aleyrodidae) has been based almost entirely on characteristics of the fourth instar nymph, also known as the pupa or puparium; characteristics of the adults of only a few species are known and have been published. Diagnostic morphological features of the puparium and adults of the woolly whitefly, Aleurothrixus floccosus (Maskell), a Neotropical species and recent invasive species in India, are described based on specimens collected on guava (Psidium guajava) in Peninsular India. Characteristics of puparium and adults of this species given in published and unpublished literature including the female cement gland of A. floccosus are described and illustrated. The results of molecular analysis of the of COI gene indicate the genetic relatedness of A. floccosus with Aleurothrixus trachoides (Back) and Aleurotrachelus atratus Hempel collected on peppers and coconut, respectively in India. Strict quarantine measures are warranted to stop the entry of such biosecurity threats to the country.
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Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Chandrika Mohan

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
general biology - morphology - evolution
identification/taxonomy

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Aleurothrixus floccosus	Guava (Psidium)	India