Pacific Pests, Pathogens and Weeds - Online edition

Pacific Pests, Pathogens & Weeds

Spiralling whitefly (025)


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Summary

  • Worldwide distribution. In tropics and sub-tropics. Wide host range: bananas and many fruit trees, ornamentals and vegetables. Active at dawn and dusk. An important pest.
  • Direct damage results from adult whiteflies sucking sap from leaves and fruits causing early death; indirect damage results from sooty moulds growing on leaves covered by honeydew deposits, and blocking sunlight.
  • Eggs laid in spirals among wax by moth-like adults.
  • Natural enemies: parasitoid wasps (main control)
  • Cultural control: prune branches with heavy infestations.
  • Chemical control: use soap, white or horticultural oils; or synthetic pyrethroids, but insecticides may increase the problem by destroying natural enemies.

Common Name

Spiralling whitefly

Scientific Name

Aleurodicus dispersus. A member of the Aleyrodidae.


AUTHORS Helen Tsatsia & Grahame Jackson
Information from Chin D et al. Biology and pest management of spiralling whitefly. DPI&R. Northern Territory Government. (https://industry.nt.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/228089/ent1-biology-pest-management-spiraling-whitefly.pdf); and from Waterhouse DF, Norris KR (1989) Biological Control Pacific Prospects - Supplement 1. Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research, Canberra; and from Aleurodiscus (whitefly). Invasive Species Compendium. (https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/4141).

Produced with support from the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research under project PC/2010/090: Strengthening integrated crop management research in the Pacific Islands in support of sustainable intensification of high-value crop production, implemented by the University of Queensland and the Secretariat of the Pacific Community.

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