Woolly Whitefly
Aleurothrixus floccosus
This record describes Aleurothrixus floccosus (species). Recorded family: Aleyrodidae. Recorded order: Hemiptera.
Identification and Appearance
earliest record in our area: FL 1909 (not established at that time) pest of citrus
Wikipedia reference for Aleurothrixus floccosus: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleurothrixus_floccosus.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hemiptera (True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies)
- Suborder
- Sternorrhyncha
- Superfamily
- Aleyrodoidea
- Family
- Aleyrodidae (Whiteflies)
- Subfamily
- Aleyrodinae
- Genus
- Aleurothrixus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
probably of neotropical origin (most of its natural enemies are in South America) to the Neotropics, adventive elsewhere and now almost cosmopolitan in warmer climes ; in our area, so. US (Gulf States to AZ)
Diet and Behavior
Diet: polyphagous; host list in
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Aleurothrixus floccosus (Maskell 1896)
About True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hemiptera, the group containing Aleurothrixus floccosus. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Hemiptera (true bugs) includes over 80,000 described species across cicadas, aphids, leafhoppers, shield bugs, and bed bugs. Aphids alone cost global agriculture an estimated $2.5 billion annually in crop losses.
Ecological role of the group
Many Hemiptera are essential food sources for birds and predatory insects. Cicadas provide massive nutrient pulses during emergence events - a single Brood X emergence can involve trillions of individuals across 15 states.
Economic and practical significance of the group
The brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys) caused $37 million in apple crop losses in a single year in the U.S. Mid-Atlantic region. Bed bug infestations in the U.S. increased by 500% between 2001-2010, costing the hotel industry hundreds of millions annually.
Recorded sources for this group: USDA, EPA, University research. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Woolly Whitefly (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by v belov; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset
Frequently Asked Questions About Woolly Whitefly
What is Woolly Whitefly?
Woolly Whitefly (Aleurothrixus floccosus) is a species in the family Aleyrodidae, within the order Hemiptera.
Where is Woolly Whitefly found?
Range: probably of neotropical origin (most of its natural enemies are in South America) to the Neotropics, adventive elsewhere and now almost cosmopolitan in warmer climes ; in our area, so. US (Gulf States to AZ)
What does Woolly Whitefly eat?
The diet of the Woolly Whitefly includes polyphagous; host list in.