First record of four whiteflies (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) and their natural enemies in Lakshadweep Islands, India

Abstract

Four whitefly species including three invasive whitefly species viz., rugose spiralling whitefly, Aleurodicus rugioperculatus Martin (Hemiptera: Alyrodidae) on 10 host plants; Bondars nesting whitefly, Paraleurodes bondari Peracchi on seven host plants, woolly whitefly, Aleurothrixus floccosus (Maskell) on guava and Bemisia euphorbiae (David & Subramaniam) on two plants were reported for the first time in Lakshadweep. Parasitoid, Encarsia guadeloupae Viggiani (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) and predators viz., Pseudomallada (=Dichochrysa) astur (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) and Cybocephalus indicus (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) were found associated with these whiteflies. Distribution of whiteflies along with their host plants and natural enemies in Lakshadweep Islands are given.