First record of three exotic whitefly pests (Hemiptera, Aleyrodidae) from Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India

Abstract

Three exotic whitefly pest species, Aleurodicus rugioperculatus Martin, Aleurothrixus floccosus (Maskell) and A. trachoides (Back) have been recorded for the first time from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India. Severe infestation of A. floccosus on guava; A. rugioperculatus on coconut and Cinnamomum and A. trachoides on tomato, guava and glory bower was observed. Tomato and glory bower are new host plant records for A. trachoides, and Cinnamomum for A. trachoides. Puparial diagnosis and photographs of habitus are provided to facilitate identification of these species.